The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-19
MRS. G. o. ROBINSON,
Times Hobby Editor

THE mail this morning brought
L me a large and handsome
seed catalogue which boosted a
cover portraying in gorgeous col
ors a galaxy of well-known and
beloved ANIMALS and perennials.
This floral fantasy reminded me
that spring makes her official en-
trance this week, and therefore an
interview with the most optimistic
amateur gardener among my ac-
quaintances, would be 0pporture.
Within the hour was deep in
discussion with Raysa Posey on
the hopes and hazards of horti-
culture Mr.. Posey, a veteran Of
many carefully planned and
hopefully executed campaigns,
was eager to discuss the pleasures
and pitfalls Of his hobby. He
prefaced his remarks with a three
stanza verse which rhythmically
portrayed his viewpoint:
IN the spring the hopeful gardener
Planning happy. all agog.
Maps MS battle with the cutWorm
Chickens aphids and the dog.
Digitalis and petunias.
Iris by the garden walk
Where the playful little children
Trample down each tender stalk.
And when summer brings the blossoms
Smaller far then seed men claim
You have alibis sufficient
And know where TO put the blame.
Continuing Mr.. Posey said:
While spring slowly sheds her
incognito, and once again the last
ton of coal had been ordered,
many gardeners are looking for
ward to that day of days, that
glorious moment when they can
call a SPADE a spade. and by APP
preaching a hallowed spot and
digging deep, can toss the star
tied angleworm high in the air.
TINE seed catalOg, the worlds
L most tempting cluster of
color and transformation, has
fired the Imagination to splendid
horticultural heights and the fire
side plans have evolved an in
triguing group Of ANIMALS and
perennialS where browns, beige
and blues blend in color content
ment.
The proper preparation Of the
seed bed. involving only q minor
amount Of lunbago and moaning
muscles, clears the stage for the
supreme scene, the sowing of the
seed. With a slide rule and a
book of calculus, the tiny globules
are buried accurately to twice
their own depth, and then, with
a wonderful exhibition Of equi-
librium. the plantee presses them
firmly in the ground by walking
nonchalantly the length of a
board placed over their habitat.
Before and after that I'M
guessable phenomena. the last
snow, are interspersed the spring
rains, to wash away or nurture
the seeds at fate wills.
The surviving seeds eventually
become tender green shoots and
enter that period of peril known
IS the aphis age. AT this point
that gallant gladiator the ant
springs to the defense. and by
milking the aphids renders them
weakly susceptible to a dash of
the famous aphis annihilator-
Black Leaf Forty.
XKTHILE this titanic tussle
w has been testing the gar
dener's resources. the cutworm =
that racketeer and undercoveT
crook-has been warming up in
the paddock awaiting his cue.
The cutworm is a vicious thing
A cousin 20 the weevL;
And in the garden runs amuck
The root" Of all the evil.
Paper collars can be used to
keep the cutworms at bay, al
though the collars. OF course are
10 be fitted around the roots of
the plants, not around the cut
worms.
The surviving seedlings. having
fought their way successfully
through the aphid. cutworm, dog
and chicken preliminaries. are
nov in splendid trim and are
training for the last and dnal
bout. the Tasshopper grapple.
With the last contender hanging
on the ropes. Referee Summer
gives the decision TO the garGen
and the worry. work and woe OF
being a gardener is forgotten"
To me personally, the lovely