Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-30
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

| Summer. When Fall set in, as dry as
ever, these evergreens should have been
watered copiouSly.
when Spring comes" he decided,
II will dig these up and throw them
| away. They are no good" Fertilizer,
he knew. would be worse than useless.
under the peculiar conditions prevail
ing.
Water he never once thought of in
their connection, until by chance q
friend happened to tell him how he
saved an evergreen Of his own by
copious watering.
1t happened that this Spring the
outside hose connection on the front
Of the house leaked slightly at the
spigot when turned on, owing to lack OF
a washer.
The home owner placed bucket I'M
der the faucet. At the end OF "a hours
he looked in. and saw that the bucket
was about full.
He emptied the water upon one of
the two evergreens. The next day he
gave the second dying specimen a sim
liar treat This water, of course, was
directed toward the roots, not the
foliage
Within two weeks there was a per-
ceptible improvement in their appear
snce. The sprays looked greener and
full appearance which it had lacked
before.
The improvement was satisfactory.
being noticeable. Often in amateur
horticultural work there is much that
must be taken for granted. One pur-
chaseS a fertilizer, applies it, hopes for
the best. and nothing particularly note
worthy happens.
Water applied heavily to falling ever
green's often gives honest. plain results.
to be read even by the uncritical eve.
The owner cited hopes that within a
MONTH especially with favorable rains
to help him, he will have his two plants
back in their old-time condition.
To return to the always interesting
subject of grass:
No one should be perturbed II his
grass seed does not appear to have
done much so far.
May usually Is good growing
month. Even II we get half the usual
number of rains, 1t should be splendid
for recalcitrant grass seed.
1t is as yet too early to speak know
ingly of the quality Of the grass seed
sown so far. 1t may have suffered as
the result of the drought. On the other
hand, 1t may have gained stamina and
vigor, such is the mystery of Nature.
1t may be slow growing. that is all.
With even slight return toward what
we are inclined to call normal growing
conditions, grass should pick up and
DO as well as ever, and II, in the
providence of Nature, certain character
isticS of strength have been bred into
her grass seed as a result of the harsh
conditions Of 1880. then we may ex.
pect even better grass than before.
II this pleasing eventuality does not
croD up. the only recourse will be TO
more seed. more fertilizer, more water.
II one wants to enjoy a pleasing turf
this Summer. A good lawn Is worth
working for, and no one should despair
OF it, no matter how poorly his grass
looks at this time.
Grass has a surprising habit, along
with many other plants, Of picking up
suddenly, seemingly out of nothing at
all, and growing rampantly. Once IL
gets start, as we say, 1t will cover
over the bare spots. This is where
grass shines, and no gardener should
forget this prime ability
Stick to your grass guns. keep ever
lastingly at it, and remember that seed
land more seed is the secret of sue
cess. Punch small holes in bare spots
with an old pencil, and fill them full
Of seed. Then sprinkle bonemeal lightly
Even Seeding grass plants like and
can utilize ground bonemeaI OF the type
specified for roses.