Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-20

In discussing lawns and grass seed
the other day we overlooked the fact
that some one might think it time to
sow seed for a new lawn. 1t is, Of
course, far too early, although some
authorities do advise the seed to be
sprinkled on a Winter snow and thus
permitted to sink into the soil with the
melting Of the snow
We have never experimental with the
method, SO cannot either recommend
it or frown upon it. To us 1t always
seemed as If 1t were taking a very long
chance. Grass seed cannot possibly
terminate at this time, but would lie
idle until growing weather In the
Spring. So why should one not wait
until that time?
Trees, however, may be pruned at
this time with some benefit. Most gar
deners have rather fancied an imagina-
tive portrait of themselves welding one
Of these tree primers on the end of q
long pole, the Gu tiers operated either by
another pole or a wire from the ground.
One must know his trees, however,
and which branches are dead in order
to do this work properly at this time.
At the best, only the lowest and small
est bad branches can be taken off in
this way with sure y.
Another picture the average gardener
carries with him is that C. himself
carrying one of the compressed air
sprayers slung around his shoulders.
Perhaps more gardeners vow to get one
of these and never do. There can be
little doubt that three or four gallons
of spray applied without the effort of
constant pumping would do far more
thorough job of spraying than can be
achieved with the usual hand spray.
+ X x
Though there is nothing particular to
do in tie outdoors, the gardener can
do a great deal with his hobby. He
can do a lot of thinking about his gar
den. for one thing, and he can order
his seeds and plants. To do the latter
he must do the former. Now is the
best time of the year to look over the
garden and decide how to rearrange it.
Personally We have always been rather
slow about ordering plants at this time,
for many firms have a disconcerting
habit of sending them right along,
often when snow and ice are on the
ground. We will never forget our dis
may at receiving some rosebuShes far too
early and our fear of heeling them in.
as it is called. The result was that we
sent the whole works back. and when a
new batch was sent later the plants
were no way near as good as the ones
We had rejected. Our advice Is to
order seeds at this time, but wait until
near the time you want plants.
We know one gardener who utilities
his spare Winter moments in repairing
his lawnmower and garden hose and in
painting his garden tools. He says, with
much point. that there Is no gain in
waiting until Spring, at which time
there will be other and more delightful
things to do. We even have heard of
gardener-perhaps he should be called
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES paints all his
tools some bright color, so that when
he loans them to the neighbors they
can be recognized at great distance.
Those who grow dahlias and gladioli,
and hence have use for stakes, may
profitably paint them at this time. All
stakes used in the garden should be
painted or stained green. They look
better The stake ought to be as in
visible as possible. for 1t is a confess
sion that your plant needs a mechanical
support. If it can be seen, it detractS
to some extent at least in the view of
particular people. And whom else are
gardens planted for but particular
people?