Evening star., 1934-05-20

IVY disease and insects can be
4 ' L prevented by careful cleaning
up of old plant refuse, weeds
and other litter which serve to harbor
insects and disease spores over the
Winter period. However, certain other
diseases, such as aster wilt, tulip blight
and nematodes, tend to increase in
garden soils used repeatedly for the
same crops irrespective of the destruc-
ton of plant refuse. The organisms
live over Winter in the soil itself. In
this case, the home gardener is seri-
ously handicapped as compared with
the commercial grower because of the
small area in the home garden and
the consequent difficulty in selecting a
new site from year to year.
Certain chemicals, including formal
dehyde, and copper and mercury COM
pounds may be applied to the soil with
a view to destroying much of the
harmful spores and organisms in the
soil, OF these the formalin is perhaps
the safest, as its harmful effects to
plant life are only brief Soil to be
treated should be prepared by spading
deeply to permit the entrance of the
solution. For formaldehyde treatment,
! gallon of formalin should be added
to 49 gallons of water or in proportion
ate quantities and sprinkled on at a
rate of approximately 2 quarts per
square foot. The sol. should then be
covered with old canvas or mating for
a day or two and should not be
planted until the odor of formaldehyde
has disappeared. The solution will in
jure living plants and hence early
Spring is a good time for the treat
ment. Such diSinfection is particularly
recommended for the growing Of
China asters in old garden Soils
Were it possible to apply steam to
the soil, such as is practiced by green
house growers of certain crops, steril-
ization would be relatively simple and
there would be no unfavorable after
effects. This practice is however, out
of the question because of the expen-
slVe equipment required.
The Dwarf Phloxes.
DROMINENT among the plants that
bring color to the early Spring
garden are the dwarf types of phlox.
For example, the So-called moss pink
phlox subulata provides a solid mat
of color and is well adapted for use in
the rockery or as a foreground for
the perennial border. The range 8
color is from white to pale blue with
bright rose and pirk hues most pop
ular.
PhloX amoena, another dwarf form,
Is very useful in the rockery and for
massing where a blanket of color is
desired. These two phloxes are per-
ennial and succeed with minimum OF
care. The whole phloX family is ma
tive to North America and, therefore,
withstandS our short changes in tenn
perature and moisture much better
than most of the imported species.
Drumond's phlox is an annual low
growing form of great beauty in the
Summer garden. This species comes
from the Texas plains and is well
adapted to Summer heat and intense
light. The range of color Is very broad
with pink and reds predominating.
The stems are rather short, but the
flowers find favor for massing in low
bowls. It's culture is simple and there
are no serious enemies to contend
with. In fact. the dwarf species men
toned are all easier to grow than the
tall Summer phlox, which must be
sprayed in this locality to retain its
foliage satisfactorily.
The Primulas.
THAT the outdoor primulas deserve
the designation of hardy. which
so often accompanies their name, was
proved during the past Winter. AS
a rule they survived the harsh test
with flying colors There are several
types and a multitude OF colors in
this sturdy little group. The primulus
are not particularly desirable for cut
ting because of theii short stalks, but
do make very beautiful beds or bor-
ders for taller-growing species. Prop
erly grown, the plants are show OF
color for three or more weeks.
One attractive feature belonging to
the primulas is their ease of propa-
ration. After Towering has concluded,
the old plants may be lifted and cut
into several pieces according to their
size. Each piece will shortly form
strong plant. This division is neces-
Sary at least every Two years, II one
wishes to keep the plants at their
best. Seedlings are easy to obtain, but
will not necessarily be of the same color
as the parent. In fact, the chances
of being exactly like the parent are
exceedingly remote. Divisions, on the
other hand will of necessity be iden-
tical with the parent.
POllinati0n.
COME plants, such as holly. bear
- their male flowers on one tree and
their female on another. In order to
secure fruits, it is necessary that in
sects or some other agency transfer
the pollen from the male tree. At
lectuIe given before the Takoma Hor-
ticultural Society in January, C. c.
Thomas of the American Horticultural
Society suggested the planting of
Chinese holly because of capacity to
set berries without pollination.
Fruit trees offer many serious polli-
TDv