Evening star., 1934-06-03


friends were privileged to
listen to a most helpful talk on plan
ming and improving the home grounds.
The speaker was Prof. Mark Shoe
maker of the University Of Maryland
extension service Using simple prac-
tical language and illustrating his
points with lantern views Prof. Shoe
maker aroused unusual interest in his
subject. The essence of the talk was
that every homeowner should have
a plan no matter how simple. Other
wise the paintings are much like the
unarranged parts of jig-SaW puzzle.
No matter how beautiful the individ-
ual flowers, there can be no picture
without plan. The lawn was con-
ceded the most important feature in
the landscaping of the home. The
grass should be kept in good condition
and the center of the lawn should be
kept open as a setting for the house.
Second in Importance are the trees
which should be so placed as to frame
the house and if possible serve as
background. Third comes the founda-
ton planting which ties the house
into the picture. The foundation
plants should not be too many or
too large and should include plants
of different species and sizes so as to
give a blended effect For example.
Prof Shoemaker pointed out that tall
erect plants like pyramidal arbovitae
would be out of place in the founda-
ton.
Simplicity was said to be the key
note in successful landscaping. Too
-
pose. Flower gardens should be placed
to one side or in the rear of the home
and should by all means be kept out
of the front lawn. inexpensive plant
material may often serve quite as
we'll as costly material. One or two
striking trees such as red leaved
maple may have place, but an ex-
cess of such accent plants shows poor
taste.
Prof Shoemaker developed the
thought that each home presents its
peculiar problems and that with a
little thoughtfulness and planning
each home may be made to show in
dividuality and peculiar attractiveness.
Aphids.
As ONE of the most persistent and
"A obnoxious insect enemies of the
gardener, the aphid requires almost
constant attention from the time the
tulips push forth from the soil in
Spring until the killing frosts of late
October Wherever there is soft, sue
culent plant growth, there one may
expect aphids Often they are plant
green in color and relatively incon-
bers. Some species. such as infest the
chrysanthemum and nasturtium, are
almost black, and on the Golden
Glow red aphid may be seen in
great profusion about the time OF
full bloom. Fortunately, irreSpec-
tive of color and time of appearance,
the treatment is the same-namely a
material such as nicotine or pyre-
thrum, that kills by contact with the
insects body and not by ingestion
into the stomach. These aphids, as
has been pointed out by many writ
ers, feed on plant sap obtained by in
sertion of the proboscis into the tender
tissues. Hence, arsenics and other
stomach poisons are not effective.
There are several tobacco extracts
and pyrethrum preparations on the
market that are highly effective in
controlling aphids. There is no special
difficulty in the killing process, except
to repeat frequently enough to eradi-
cate new immigrations. The ant fig
ures in the aphid problem because of
its habit of carrying aphids to the soft
tissues of the plant. apparently for the
purpose of securing supplies of sweet
excretions from the aphids. Hence, ant
control should assist materially in
aphid control.
Aphids often live on two different
plant species, migrating from one to
the other as the food supply de-
CT eases. This migrating habit accounts
for the sudden onset of aphids where
a day or two earlier the plants were
apparently free.
japanese Cherries.
4 TRIFLE late for this season is
- this announcement of a new De-
partment of Agriculture circular, No.
313, entitled The Oriental Flowering
Cherries" Attractively illustrated with
photographs and drawings, this pam
phlet serves as an authentic text on
this valuable group of ornamentalS.
An interesting account is given of the
introduction of the Oriental cherries
into the United States. with special
comments on the paintings about the
Tidal Basin in Potomac Park. The
circular was prepared by Paul Russell
OF the Bureau of Plant Industry and is
offered for sale at nominal sum by
the superintendent of public docu-
mentS.
The Two Snowballs.
THE old-fashioned SNOWFALL of our
mothers gardens and the Japa-
nese SNOWFALL which is rapidly replac-
ing the old favorite, belong to the
same genus, Viburnum. Both are
sterile, that is. never set any seeds and
hence can be increased only by cut
tings or graftage. There can be no
question of the superiority of the Japa-
nese kind. The plant is more erect,
the leaves are highly resistant to
aphids and the flowers are produced
in greater mass. The home gardener
with large grounds makes no mistake
in planting a specimen of the Japa-
nese snow ball, for it certainly makes a
fine Spring display lasting almost two
weeks.
The Vegetable Garden.
ONE enterprising Woodbridge garden
er who planted peas, lettuce, Swiss
chard, beets and certain other hardy
types of vegetables about the middle
of March, and was sorely worried
when considerable snow and cold fol-
lowed. reports that he has splendid
garden with peas in pod and chard
ready for cutting. Early planting pays
FARM AND GARDEN.