Evening star., 1934-03-25
The Home Gardener
Practical and Seasonal Hints for the Amateur for
Beautifying Surroundings of the Home.
BY J. w. WELLINGTON.

root system, this mixture is nearly
free from ft1ngous troubles which
cause the rotting of tiny seedlings.
Small seeds require only light COW
ering, little more than their own
depth. To keep the soil surface moist
prior to termination, one may place
paper over the soil and, If there is
danger of mice, a piece of glass be-
low the paper. Shortly after the
seedlings appear above ground the pa
per must be removed to permit light
to reach the plants.
The sand and moss mixture con-
tainS few nutrients, but enough, with
the seeds reserves, to sustain The
plants to transplanting stage, which
comes shortly after the true leaves
appear. The first leaves, commonly
known as seed leaves, usually are SIM
pie rounded objects altogether diff
ferent from the later leaves.
Watering of young seedlings Is often
difficult operation because of their
light grip on the soil. A fine nozzle,
known by professional gardeners as a
rose, is very suseful. Morning is a
desirable time to water plants, as the
foliage has opportunity to dry quickly
Too much water Is almost as harmful
as too little because water-logging the
soil results in poor aeration and de-
velopment of rots and decays.
Garden Notes.
PRESERVATION of fruit by freez-
ing with sugar has moved rapidly
forward in recent years. Actual
ly thousands of barrels of Strawberries,
which ultimately find their way into
ice creams and preserves, are handled
in this way each year. At a recent
exhibit sponsored by the Division of
Fruits and Vegetables of the Depart
ment of Agriculture, numerous va ie-
ties of frozen berries and peaches
were displayed. The fruits held their
shape, color and flavor surprisingly
we'll
Pansies and other half-hardy plants
set out In the garden last Autumn
have had a hard time, and have in
many cases succumbed completely. A
light covering of pine branches or
other coarse material would have
aided greatly by holding leaves and
the snow cover.
st. Patrick's day is accepted as the
first safe date for planting hardy
vegetables, such as beets, radishes,
early peas and Irish potatoes in the
garden. All of these species can en-
dure frost and light snow. The potato
foliage may freeze back to the soil,
only to renew itself upon the return
Of favorable conditions.
Garden Clubs.
ONCE the beginning of the year,
> the garden clubs of the WASH
ington area have been active with
regular lecture evenings, pruning
demonstrations, plant purchasing and
the like. The first regular flower
show of 1884 was held by the Takoma
Horticultural Club on March IA and
Is of homegrown plants. In April
the narcissus and tulips arrive and
with them the exhibit season will be
on in earnest.
The Burleith Garden Club held its
March meeting at the home of its
president. Mrs. c. r. Forester, 1921
S street. The guest speaker, r. Bruce
Horsfal. discussed Birds. Their Habits
and Relation to the Garden" and
Illustrated his talk with q number of
his own paintings of birds and
flowers. The officers of the Burleith
club are Mrs. Forester, president;
Mrs. Laurinda Marchetti, first vice
Mrs. C. V. Mace, second
vice president; Miss Alice Ball, secre-
tary, and Mrs. Charles Purdum,
treasurer.
Electric hot beds are evidently
wide interest among home
gardeners as we'll as commercial
growers. They were the subject of
the special talk presented at the
March meeting of the Community
Garden Club of Rockville. The officers
Of the club for the current season are
Mrs. j. Harry Gormley, president;
Mrs. Ernest l.. Bullard, first vice
Mrs. William Daniels, sec
ond vice president; Mrs. w. E. Yocum.
recording secretary; Mrs. Agnes Magic,
corresponding secretary, and Mrs. J.
Forest Walker, treasurer. The Rock
vile club holds an informal flower
show at each meeting. The winner
of the largest number of points dur
ing the 1888 season was Mrs. George
Ninas.
The officers Of the Takoma Horti-
cultural Club are j. Preston Swecker.
president; Mrs. John GULL, vice presi-
dent; Mrs. Elmer Stone, secretary;
c. M. Purves, treasurer, and Winn T.
Simmons, landscape gardener. Already
this season this enterprising club has
placed collective orders of fertilizer.
lime, rose plants for the membership.