Evening star., 1933-09-23
The Home Gardener
Practical and Seasonal Hints for the Amateur for
Beautifying Surroundings of the Home.
BY j. w. WELLINGTON.

its growth is so slow that it may serve
for many years as a useful ornamental
on a comparatively small home place.
Broad leaf evergreens are few in num-
Der in this locality, and the holly is
about the most beautiful and vigorous
Fertilizing Roses.
TINE importance of fertilizing roses
intended for exhibition purposes
several weeks before they are to
be exhibited was emphasized by Prof
David Lumsden in discussion at the
last meeting of the Potomac Rose
Society.
Rose growers who plan to exhibit at
the show to be held by the Rose So
ciety in the new National Museum, Oc-
tober 13, should apply liquid fertilizer
now until the date of the exhibition,
Prof. Lumsden advised A quick acting
fertilizer is essential. he explained, one
which will strengthen the texture, color
and lustre of the bloom.
To heighten the color of rich crimson
and highly colored varieties. Prof.
Lumsden recommended the use Of dried
blood or solution of permanganate of
potash, using a mixture composed of l
ounce of fertilizer to gallon of water.
For light-colored roses he recommended
muriate of potash. which makes a good
tonic and produces speedy and
marked effect upon both the foliage
and the flower-a point of importance
to the exhibitor.
Dislikes Sulphate.
Prof. Lumsden advised against sui
phate of ammonia and nitrate of soda
as rose fertilizers. Flowers stimulated
with these fertilizers, he explains. will
nf cfn in,
room.
Fertilizer should be applied only after
the soil has been thoroughly soaked.
Best results may be obtained by water
ing the rose bed thoroughly in the eve
ming and applying the liquid fertilizer
close to the roots the following morn
ing, while the ground is still wet. Care
should be taken that the solution does
not touch the foliage or any part of
the plant.
The las. fertilizer feeding should be
given. Prof. Lumsden believes. as soon
as the bud is discernible on the new
growth.
These suggestions for the last two
or three feelings of the rose bed" Prof.
Lumdsen told the Potomac Rose So
ciety members. "are based upon the
assumption that the bed has been well
made in the beginning. and that the
soil has been nourished during the
Summer months"
The Garden Clubs.
THE Fall flower. fruit and vegetable
show staged by the Takoma Hor-
ticultural Club on September 13
and IA was characterized by a wide
variety of plant materials, some rather
rare in this vicinity including vase
of Turenia. A fine exhibit was bas-
ket of pompom zinnias displayed by
N R. N. Firor of Takoma Park. who
also won in the annual phlox class with
a fine entry Of Drummonds phloX.
w. H. Bozarth, guest speaker for the
forthcoming meeting Of the Takoma
Horticultural Club to be held Monday,
is widely known for his success in rails
ing delphiniums, whose culture he will
discuss.
Lime, leaf mould and spraying figure
in the story which Mr. BoZarth will
tell his listeners. The meeting will be
held at 8 pm. at the Takoma Park
branch Of the public library and visi-
tors are cordially invited.
The Takoma club will hold it's annual
dahlia show on October 3 and 4 at
the Takoma Park, Md. fire house. H. c.
Heffner. chairman of the Exhibition
Committee, is planning a musical pro-
gram as an additional attraction.
The Garden Committee of the Amer
lean University Park Citizens Associa-
ton is again sponsoring home beau
tification contest. All homes in the
community have been examined and
the 10 owners who have kept their
properties most attractive will receive
awards.
The schedules for the annual dahlia
exhibition of the National Capital
Dahlia and Iris Society to be held Sep
tember % and 20 at the Carlton Hotel
have been distributed to dahlia grow
ers and garden clubs. Glasses are pro-
vided for the various types of dahlias
and for all other garden flowers. The
officers of the society are E. w. Sheets.
president: E. G. Lund and Mrs. M. b.
Payne. vice presidents. and F. w. Dyer.
Aurora Hills, Va, secretary.
Will R,1i1d This ST.