Evening star., 1935-06-01

there have been increasing
losses of plants from the various can
kers which attack the canes and often
the crown. The worst of these canker
diseases, namely. brown canker. does
its greatest damage in late Winter and
early Spring and its work is often con-
fused with Winter damage. During
the growing season, the disease appears
as water soaked, reddish circular spots
on the canes. Later these become
white. but do not enlarge greatly until
the succeeding Spring, when the can
kers frequently girdle the base of the
| strong canes, killing them above the
wounds. Sometimes it is necessary to
| remove much of the potentially best
wood. DR.. r. P. White of the New
Jersey Station states that the disease
| is one of the causes of "balled" blooms.
those which expand sufficiently to
| show color but never fully develop.
Control rests primarily in severe an
nual pruning in early Spring. followed
by spraying with Winter-strength lime
sulphur. The usual spraying of rose
plants with colloidal sulphur during
the growing season is effective in les
sening the frequency of the disease.
/ Thus control rests primarily in sani-
tation measures. Fortunately. vigor-
Gus spraying campaign to check either
black spot or canker will serve a dual
purpose in controlling both Plant
diseases gain rapid foothold n older
gardens. For few years the beginner
may have comparative freedom from
I diseases hIlf q firoo odvo
| diseases gain in number unless the
gardener exercises unusual care.
Shade Gardening.
IN A brief discussion before the May
meeting Of the Takoma Horticul-
tural Club. Henry A. AlIanson of the
Department of Agriculture told Of his
personal experiences in growing plants
under the shade of large trees He
pointed out the impossibility of crow
ing certain sun loving species. such
as the dahlia. rose and iris, but at
the same time presented list of many
species, such as narciSsus. azalea and
rhododendron. that thrive in partial
shade. Preparation of the soil was
said to be doubly important in shady
location where competing tree roots
take their share of nutrients and
water. Mr.. AllanSon urged trenching
Of the soil to two spades depth with
the incorporation of organic matter
such as peat moss or woods earth.
With this preparation and correct
choice of plants, one may expect Just
as fine success as in the open sunlight.
Most of the soil in the vicinity is
naturally acid favoring the acid
loving plants such as azaleas and
blueberries. Oak leaves and other de-
ca wing vegetation tend to keep the
soil acid.
In closing Mr. Allanson urged the
greater use of native plants such as
proved their local adaptability and
are just as lovely as expensive mate
rial raised by nurserymen.
Bulb Care.
\ S A part of the May meeting pro-
gram of the Takoma Horticul-
tural Club. Col. w. H. England read
a paper prepared by Mr.. Neff on the
Summer care of Spring Towering
bulbs. 1t was pointed out that tulips
may be dug at this time and stored in
a cool, dark place in boxes and bas-
kets This removal permits the grow
ing of ANIMALS in their place and,
more important yet. allows for the
respading and refertilizing of the SOIL
Although Mr. Neff urged the desira-
bility of rotating the soil for tulips
from year to year. it was brought out
in the open meeting that some Ia
koma gardeners use the same location
year after year without apparent in
jury. Obviously, it is largely matter
Of reworking and maintaining the
supply of nutrients in the soil. Dig
ging has an additional advantage in
that it permits the grading of the