Evening star., 1934-07-01

-HE popular conception of the
iris is so definitely associated
with the May Towering forms
i known either as German or as
bearded iris that the existence
of other types is more or less masked
or shadowed. Yet the Japanese type
of iris, kaempferi, just now passing
out of the garden picture is equally
as beautiful, and were it not for the
preponderance of the German varle-
ties, would be just as popular. In
fact, those that have included varle-
ties of the japanese in their gardens
are enthusiastic in their praise. The
flowers are larger, more vividly col
ored, except in the pure whites and
the plants are somewhat better adapt
ed to low areas in the garden. The
attempt by American nurserymen to
maintain the original japanese va
rietal names, although commendable
from the standpoint of nomenclature,
has not helped popularize the iris in
American gardens. 1t is pleasing to
note that the names are being Amer
icanized to the extent that certain
catalogues have completely abandoned
the difficult japanese nomenclature.
, So singularly beautiful are these
Japanese irises that they deserve a
place in the garden almost compar-
able to that assigned the older bearded
varieties. The flowers are SO different
in form from the older iris, present.
ing a fiat, expanded surface to the
eyes, that none would confuse the two
groups. Furthermore, the japanese
iris has the advantage of blooming
after the Spring wealth of bloom is
past. and when a brilliant display of
color is even more welcome.
Summer Cultivation.
THERE comes, at this season in the
- gardens story, desire to let down
in activity and rather justly so, be-
cause of the high temperatures that
usually prevail Many local gardeners
plan for a definite lull in Midsummer
by growing largely Spring and Autumn
Towering perennials and biennials.
Others try to carry on through the
midSeaSon with ANIMALS. How impor-
tant is constant working of the soil,
and what means may be taken to re-
duce tillage operations? There is con-
siderable reliable evidence that about
the only real value of tillage is weed
suppression, and that simply pulling
all weeds or scraping them from the
surface with sharp hoe is equal in
results to continued culture. For old
time gardeners, this new hypothesis
is a bit difficult to accept easily, but
i appears, nevertheless, to be sub
stantiated by facts.
Peat moss mulch offers another
means of suppressing weed develop
ment and, at the same time, provides
additional decaying matter for the
soil The temperature of the soil be-
meath the peat moss will be found
a few degrees lower, which in itself
will prove helpful to most plants in
Midsummer. If one is to be absent
from home for two or three weeks,
mulch of an inch or two of the moss
will aid greatly in keeping the beds
IN good condition.
AS a rule, it is much easier to hold
weeds in check by early and fire.
ouent cultivation or surface Scraping,
as it may be, than by a few heavy at
tackS later on. And, what is more
important, the frequent light cultiva-
tions are much better for the plants.
Snowy ANIMALS.
CAY and striking colors character
iZe many of the ANIMALS. The
simple nasturtiums, the portulaca,
the petunia are examples. 1t Is as If
the Midsummer sun tuned the color
scale up to the maximum. Some home
gardeners are having disappointing
results with the new double flowered
nasturtiums, claiming that a large
percentage of the plants are produc-
ing only single blooms. Where such
results occur, there is likely no intent
to defraud, but rather too great haste
in putting new product on the mar
ket before it is ready. Sometimes it
takes several seasons of continued
careful selection to stabilize a strain
of plants and this would appear the
case with the double nasturtium The
home gardener is justified in being
disappointed because the new double
strains are a great improvement over
the old type singles.
Portulaca makes a splendid show
and is exceptionally well adapted to
exposed sunny situations which are
trying on other plants. Like the
nasturtium, the portulaca thrives bet
ter under moderate fertility than in
rich soils.
Great improvement has been made
IN the petunia in recent years and
those who have objected to the
sprswling habit of growth will be in
terested in the new dwarf form known
as petunia mana compacta, with
plants only 5 to S inches tall and
literally covered with blooms.
Poisons for Ants.
THE following formulas suggested by
- the University of Maryland Exten-
sion Service are relatively inexpen-
sive and provide abundant material
for a real campaign of determination
of this insidious pest: Water, quart;
sugar, l pound: arsenite of soda, 125
grains, and tartaric acid, 25 grains.
These are boiled together until the
arsenitc of soda is dissolved and then
d JdUJcSpOOIllu I'll Ol IlOIlGy dOQeO as al
attractant. The poisoned Sirup may
then be distributed in shallow con-
tairerS placed near the ants. Pill
boxes waterproofed with hot parafin
are suggested as containers. Care OBJ
viously must be exercised to keep the
poison away from children and pet
animals.
Stating that the small red ants
may not feed on the above mixture,
another combination is proposed,
water, l pint; sugar, l pound; honey,
ounces; thallium sulphate, 27 grains;
tartaric acid, Is grains. This must
be brought to boil while stirring
vigorously. For meat-feeding ants,
piece of ham rind. scored on the
inner surface and covered with the
poisoned Sirup, is said to be effective.
Where ants have entered the home,
busting with sodium fluoride about
the base boards or crevices through
which they are entering, is helpful
Where the nest can be located, fumi-
CATION with carbon bisulphide will
destroy the colony.