Evening star., 1932-08-08
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEVELL.

Gladioli will attract the hummers'
They are particularly fond OF Dell.
shaped blossoms, especially those OF
clear and vivid colors Among the
hundreds of varieties of gladioli there
is scarcely a one which will fail TO lure
the humming birds.
It has been proved that colorings
have a great deal to do with their re-
snonse We have seen it stated, IN
each case reliably that these miniature
birds feed on insects and on the money
dew in flowers. No doubt they ike
both, and eat whatever they can f1nd.
Another excellent thing to attract
them is the vine, the cardinal CLIMBER
This possesses attractive dark green
foliage OF a peculiar; Iac1hlateo 4ra tyPe'
pleasing clear red, are What the hum-
ming birds like.
These small red bells are one OF the
prime favorites of the hummers, which
will fly from one to another in success
sion. dipping their long bills into eacn
tr1npet or bell in turn, as tney STAND
still in the air before them.
There is no more interesting sight In
a garden than this feat Of the hum
ming bird. performed before the tiny
bells of the cardinal climber.
The smallest of birds 1t Is the only
one which is able to achieve perfect
lack of motion through wing power
alone. I,.,4
So fast do those goSSamer wings beat
that they are scarcely perceptible 10 the
eye. while they set up the snght num-
ming which has given the bird its popu-
lar name. ILL.,, -,
The perennial types OF phlox are
kHIIF
even more they lure certain moth,
which grossly resembles a hummins
bird Many a home-owner, IN the
twilight. has mistaken this moth for
a ruby-throat.
The moth in question Is one of the
most fearless OF insects. Many families
cali It 'the phlox bug" because OF It's
vast preference for the flOweretS which
90 to make up the flower heads OF the
phloX.
en- far as to name 1t the Sunday bug.
because each year it has first appeared
on the phlox on the Sabbath morn
without fail, having previously not beer
seen that season. 80,
EVERY one interested in gardens likes
butterflies, and there are no flowers
these strange creations OF nature love
quite so we'll as the zinnias.
Butterflies have such slender legs
and are altogether of such f1imsy con-
struction, as If nature were merely play
ing a cruel joke on them, that they well
come the flattish character OF tne
zinnia blossoms.
These are spread out like veritable
insect pancakes, affording a giant
winged butterfly both landing stage
and food at one and the same time anc
place
The fluttering flight Of the butter
flies adds an interest to the garden
which too often the gardener does not
appreciate properly, being more inter
ested in his plants and their care; hi
may keep in mind to his benefit, the
| lines of color which the butterflies
trace with their huge bright wings, and
! be glad that they are part OF the
garden picture.
Here is a red zinnia, one Of the deep
| glowing sort which has been available
in f1owerdom during the past 10 years
| This butterfly with the black ant
yellow wings, In most interesting de-
sign, knows nothing about zinnia va
| rieties, but he knows a good place Il
| stop when he finds it. Whether ht
| smells it, or sees it, or hears 1t, or JUS
senses it, only butterfly expert coulc
say. and maybe he couldn't.
Nature has played the last refined
bit of cruelty on this innocent creature
for she has failed to give it any sense
of fear. though 1t needs it wOefully, OF
account of its generally fragile con.
| struction. The gardener looms ove1
| the plant, butterfly and all. but thu
insect knows nothing about him. I
fiutters its wings slightly as it stand!
! on its wire-like legs. He touches it
1t flies away.