Evening star., 1934-04-15

u lime OQered Tor sale In practl-
cally every garden supply store
and ground limestone which, unfor-
tunately, is not always as easily pro-
durable.
The ground limestone has many ad-
vantages over the hydrated lime, pri-
marily because 1t is not so chemically
active and does not injure plant growth
even If applied very abundantly. Sew
eral of the garden clubs recognize this
fact and purchase limestone in guam
tity for distribution among their men,
bers. However, hydrated lime may be
used safely if used in moderate guam
tity and II applied few weeks In ad-
vance of seeding or setting the plants.
As pointed out previously, all plants
do not need lime beyond that present
In the native soil. In fact, certain
acid-loving plants. such as rhododen-
drons, may be actually stunted by lime.
Many of our native plants that ordi-
narily occur In nearby Virginia and
Maryland woods and fields do not
need lime. AS a general rule, most of
the garden vegetables benefit from
lining of the soil, particularly garden
beets, cabbage and caulif1ower. The
lime requirements of various species
have been carefully studied by several
of the agricultural experiment stations
and the information is available in
bulletins and in textbooks on garden
ing. The subject is commended to
gardeners as one worthy of consider
alton and Of much Importance.
Garden Tools.
CREQUENTLY one sees cartoon
depicting some ambitious and
novice gardener vending his
homeward way laden with all types of
cultivators, weeders and miscellaneous
other implements. Whatever may be
the truth behind these pictures, 1t Is
probably true that vastly more garden
tools are purchased each year than
are needed. In other words, the ex-
perienced gardener learns to utilize
various tools for several different pur-
poses. Take hoe, for example. AL
though primarily for cultivation be-
tween the rows, it may well be used
in the small garden for half a dozen
purposes, such as opening of burrows
for the seeds, for covering the seed, for
edging along the garden paths and
even for opening small holes for new
plants. The ordinary iron rake may
function in several ways, in level1ng
small areas in shallow cultivation to
kill Young weeds, as well as its primary
purpose of raking up stones and otner
rubbish.
Generally speaking, the number and
kind of tools needed in the home
garden varies with the size OF the
garden. That is, with sizable gar
den, automatic seeders and wneel
hoes may become necessity, whereas
in the smaller area, they are ex-
travagances. 1t Is surprising how well
the experienced gardener will manage
with only a spading fork. rake,
hoe and trowel. And perhaps, where
there IS considerable fine handworK
among irregularly placed border
plants, a small hand cultivator will
come in very handy. 1t would seem
more advisable to put the extra money
into a small, effective spraying appa-
ratus to protect plants from insects
and plant disease and into good quail
ity seeds and plants.
Garden Notes.
THE warm days OF the first week
of April certainly stimulated the
growth of narcissus and other
Spring Towering bulbs. One could
almost See the leaves push fortn
through the soil. Such growth often
follows a cold, early Spring and Illus
trates the importance Of fertilizing
liberally in Autumn, since Spring de-
velopment is made at the expense OF
stored reserves. Golden spur, the hrst
of the trumpet flowered narcissus TO
bloom, is an old-time variety which
still holds a place because of its earh-
ness.
In many cases, it will be found that
perennial plants set in the border
beds last Autumn, although still
living. have been looSened by the
alternate freezing and thaW1ng OF the
soil. Plants in this condition Will pe
materially benefited by loosening the
caked soil about the plant, drawing
the soil up to the plant and f1rming 1t
about the crown. At the same time,
little fertilizer placed around the plant
but not in contact with 1t will help
restore its vigor.
The well known regal lily has one
fault, according to those who grow
It successfully, that of pushing up too
early in the Spring and freezing back.
This may be easily prevented by COW
ering the young shoots upon the ap-
proach of frost hazard. 1t Is rather
likely that this Spring, coming to
tardily, may be better than usual In
respect to late frosts. However, the
regal lily Is worthy Of protection II
there Is need. The tiger, the Ma
donna and the regal lilies make
wonderful addition to the perennial
garden.
Narcissus need lifting and separa-
ton every three or four years. Other
wise there will come time when the
quantity and quality of the blooms
will fall away decidedly. Apparently
1t is simply a question of competition
for nutrients. Perhaps some OF our
local gardeners have seen clumps OF
narcissus which have reached this
non-blooming condition. Snowdrops,
on the other hand, seem to grow bet
ter and better over a long period OF
years If left undisturbed. AS as mat
ter Of fact, 1t may be accepted almost
as a rule that most perennial plants
need occasional separation in order
to keep them in prime condition.
The Vegetable Garden.
TT IS an interesting fact that many
local gardens go through a rather
definite cycle in which vegetables
take an important place in the begin
ming, later giving way to flowers and