Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-30
THIS AND THAT
by CHARLES e. TRAcEWELL.

can use the hose, he should not apply
commercial fertilizer Of any kind.
X X x
Lawns which in the past were SO
handled that they were not led to
expect a daily supply Of hydrant water
are the ones which are doing the best
during the dry spell. 1t is possible
in an ordinary season, so that it sends
its roots down deep in order to get its
own drinking supplies.
On the other hand, he may pamper
lawn, and force its root growth high,
by giving it water during the Summer
whether 1t needs 1t or not. This Is
the sure way to have tender, Winter
killing lawn, one which is not able to
stand either cold or heat.
Unfortunately. the gardener is not
able to train most of the flowers. With
the exception of few plants Which
do well in the shade, and which, there
more, can get along on a small amount
OF water, the vast number Of flowers
from all chimes demand a certain sup
ply Of moisture.
1t would seem, therefore, that those
who live in sections where such a
drought as the present may result in
a ban on sprinkling would do well to
consider the planting Of their gardens
from this standpoint.
If lawns and backgrounds can be
so planted as to look well in any emer-
gency, drought will not work the havoc
it does in those places where moisture
loving plants are grown freely.
The present situation Is, 1t must be
admitted, out of the ordinary, but its
very existence shows that 1t may exist.
If this condition may happen, as it has
happened, 1t would be well for home
owners to consider it is a possibility.
y X
The standard privet hedge must be
given the first place in such planning.
1t will thrive and remain green as long
as any plant without water. How it
does it remains a mystery; pleasant
enough myStery-one which the home
owner may accept thankfully, without
requiring a solution.
Another old standby Is the snow
berry, which Is planted on the north
sides of houses, where few things will
grow well. It's fancy friend, the rho
dodendron, Wits and takes on a poor
green during such weather as now pre-
walls, but the. snowberry, in both the
common (vlllgaris) and the coralberry
forms, will stand up nobly under the
heat and dryness.
The hydrangeas, too, do very we'll
watering every now and then. The
hibiscus cannot be recommended as a
hot-weather plant. Its foliage suffers
considerably during a drought. Its
habitat around marshes (hence its COM
mon name of marshmallow) makes a
certain amount of moisture a necessity
for best growth.
The althea, or Rose of Sharon, is one
of the best drought-resistant shrubs
Specimens which have been planted for
several years and left alone are bloom
ing as well this Summer as ever before.
Even when transplanted they show
some blossoms.
n II X y
The trees, Heaven bless them. must
not be forgotten in naming a few of
the resistant things which help make
even dry Summer green!
Although they require more water
than most plants, the trees send down
their great roots to depth far beyond
that available to smaller growing things
And as a result they stand hardy
and green even when the rain does not
fall Not that many of them have not
suffered. In some sections. leaves are
turning yellow already, and even fall
ing, as trees believe Autumn is at hand
The present dry spell is particularly
difficult for those trees which in the
past may have suffered from root in
juries. Bare branches, especially near
the top, testify to q deep hurt. Water
Is about the only thing which will save
them.