The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-08-22
THE HOMEMAKERS CORNER
BY MISS ELSIE BENTHIEN
Home Demonstration Agent
Gardening Notes
The BagwOrm


This interesting insect often causes
serious damage to evergreens during
midsummer. The curious habit which
the larva has of weaving a protective
bag of silk and pieces of leaves, so
DISCUSSES his appearance that a speci-
men plant may be badly defoliated be-
fore the gardner suspects his pres
enc. The female is wingless and
never leaves the bag. Eggs are laid
by the female in the bag and these
hatch in early spring. Removal Of the
bags during winter is an effective
means of control. Spraying the fol-
iage with arsenate of lead is a good
remedy when plants are attacked.
Drying Everlasting Flowers
STRAW" flowers such as helichry-
sum are often grown in the garden for
winter decoration. In order to pre-
serve them in good shape they should
be cut before the flower is fully open.
Otherwise the ugly centers will be too
much exposed in drying. After be-
ing cut at the proper stage the leaves
should be removed and after the
stems are tied in punches they should
be hung up to dry with the flower
heads hanging down. This will in
sure straight stems and the holding of
the flowers erect when dried.
Glads Need Water
The gladiolus is a very satisfactory
and popular flower for cutting during
the summer months In their culture,
good soil, thorough and frequent cult
walton and plenty of water at all
times, are essential. Petals are not
nearly so likely to scorch in the sun
when the roots are we'll supplied with
water Observations made last season
indicate that the crooked stems so
often seen in some of the Primulinus
group, comes from the willing Of the
stem during the heat of the day and
its inability to recover its erect posi-
ton when the stem becomes turgid at
night.
Planting Seeds in the Fall
Many seeds seem to terminate best
after having been subjected to low
temperatures. In experimental work
termination is FASTENED by placing
seeds in refrigerator at about 40
degrees for varying lengths. The
amateur gardner may, perhaps, obtain
the same results with many types by
planting seeds in the fall so that they
are subject to the low temperatures of
winter. This is a good method for
handling seeds of iris, peony and
many kinds of trees and shrubs, par
ticularly those with hard or imper-
vious seed coats. The Japanese bar
berry is often grown from seed
handled this way.
If one has good stock of patience
many of the hardy bulbs may be
grown from seed. Many of them will
not reproduce the variety from which
seeds are collected, but it does give
one the opportunity of producing oc-
casionally new type which is of more
than ordinary merit.
In making up the seed bed it is
well to use good supply of leaf mold,
we'll rotted manure, or pulverized peat
to mix with the soil.
An accurate plot should be made
of the paintings, for some seeds are
temperamental and may not come up
until the second spring. For this
reason the bed might be located in an
out of the way place where it would
not be disturbed.
Such bulbs as tulips can be de-
veloped to the Towering stage in or
4 years from seed if given good grow
! ing conditions.
C,Leop;I,o fo,, Tho po,,,b1;ooo