Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-14
Care of Evergreens.

! Prof. Frank A. Schrepfer in his re-
cent little handbook entitled Hardy
EvergreenS" gives some very practical
advice on the fertilizing and pruning
of Vergreens--everyday problems OF
the everyday gardener.
In fertilizing evergreens Prof. Schrep-
fer advises that decaying plant and
animal materials are best, since in de-
composing they supply not only soil
food but also humuS, that most i'm
portant soil conditioner. Well rotted
stable manure is conceded superior TO
commercial fertilizer, chiefly because OF
its greater benefit on the texture OF
the soil. Prof SChrepfer suggests that
old plants may be restored to vigor by
saading in well rotted manure. straw
or grass about the base of the plants,
More effective still is a series OF three
or four treatments with liquid ma
nure. material much used by pro-
fessional gardeners. and obtained by
soaking a few forkfulS of rotted ma
nure in A barrel or tub of water. APP
piled A few times during the season
following planting. the liquid manure
Will greatly aid the plants in becoming
established. or if used on older weak
growing plants will restore their vigor
In watering evcrgreenS Prof. Schrepfer
reiterates the time-worn but wise warn
ing that merely wetting the surface is
futile, but that the soil should be lit
orally soaked. Shallow roofing follows
shallow watering with the result that
roots are easily injured when droughts
occur and watering is neglected.
Pruning of evergreens receives due
consideration in Prof. Schrepfer 5
book Evergreens should, according TO
the author. be pruned in early Spring
before new growth starts, using sharp
knife or pruning shears. Except IN eX-
IRENE types of pruning such as hedges
or topiary work. pruning should be con-
sidered as a corrective operation-that
is. it is not advisable to attempt to
change the natural shape of the plant.
Where growth is spindly, pinching out
the terminal bud on the long sloe
branches will tend TO force out side
buds and cause a oenser. growth. any
branch that is outgrowing its mates
NAV be checked by punching out the
terminal. Pinching in Summer Is con-
sidered especially effective. The aroor
vitae and the plume cypress are creo-
tied by Prof. Schrepfer as being par
ticularly adaptable TO shearing. How
ever. il is deemed wise to leave some
Of the new growth. since buds break
much more readily from the younger
tissues.
Considerable space is given to the
utilization and classification OF ever
greens.
Propagation.
Propacation is comprehensive term
as relates to cultivated plants. covering
increase by seeds. cuttings buds oulps,
tubers. etc. The Importance OF propa-
CATION is indicated in the large seed
growing farms. nurseries for propa-
eating fruit and ornamental trees, pup
farms, etc. All wild plants are capable
of propagating themselves under favor
able environment but in horticulture
fine varieties have to be maintained
by budding. grating or cuttings IN
the case of many plants and rigorous
seed selection in others Without such
means practically all our fine varieties
of fruits and ornamentals would be lost
with the death of the original seeding.
In the early days, the art OF propa-
cation had to be highly developed by
every gardener, but now we rely on the
professional scotsman and nurSeryman
for most of our propagation. Home
gardeners do however continue TO
large quantities of geraniums
and other house plants which are in
creased by cuttings or slips and many
gardeners enjoy propagating outdoor
plants such as the rose. iris, dahlia,
and chrysanthemums and outdoor
fruits such as the grape, currant and
raspberry Many home gardeners gain
a great deal of pleasure In propagating
plants simply to give TO their friends
and neighbors thus continuing an
ancient custom which accounted for the
rapid distribution of plants in the early
davs before the advent of commercial
propagators There Is certain pleas
ure in taking slips or cuttings and
getting them 10 live and develop that
cannot be explained, but. nevertheless.
is fully appreciated by many gardeners.
Plum Black Knot.
Black knot Is a disease of plums and
cherries that may be quite easily
recognized by any one. The large wart-
like growths turning a black color as
they mature are distinctly characteristic
and cannot be mistaken once one has
seen them. The name black knot could
not have been more appropriate. Oc-
casional outbreaks are to be always cx-
pected since very few, II any. OF the
native pluns and cherries are free from
this trouble =
At this season. knots have attained
considerable proportions. sometimes ex-
tending for four or more inches along
the affected branches. BY the middle
of Summer the knots have usually
reached maximum size and take on a
deep black color