Evening star., 1938-06-04
Leaves From
The Garden
Start Perennial
Seeds in June,
Say Experts.

IT WAS the practice Of few years
ago to start the seeds Of perennials
in July or August. Nowadays most
authorities recommend starting them
in June. As soon as the ANIMALS are
out Of the cold-frame the soil should
be thoroughly stirred and made ready
for the new seedlings. BY disinfecting
with formaldehyde dust just before
sowing seed, loss from the damping- of
fungus may be avoided. Or by treat
ing the soil with 1-to-50 solution
of formaldehyde some control of weed
seeds may be had. (Apply two or three
days before sowing seed)
A lath shade will protect the seed
lings from the hot sun and reduce
evaporation.
Liquid manures are often used to
produce show flowers and to stimulate
plants. They should not be applied
while the ground is dry. Water first
and then apply.
The one most commonly used is
liquid COW manure. One-half bushel
OF fresh manure Gn a sack) to bar
rel Of water. Allow to soak for
week before using. 1t may be diluted
before using. Once a week is often
enough to use it. Apply with
sprinkling can.
One teaGpoonful nitrate of soda, one
tablespoonful superphosphate and one
teaspoonful Of muriate of potash may
be dissolved in two gallons of water
and used as a liquid manure. Care
must be used to see that not too much
is applied to any one plant.
Stakes should be set for lilies and
other tall growing perennials and an
nuals before high winds ruin them.
Bamboo stakes are not unsightly, will
last long time If treated with creo-'
sote and are not expensive A num-
Der 10 galvanized wire is handy for
the smaller plants. For the very tall
plants q cypress stake is best.
In tying a plant to stake use a
soft string, rafia, or q piece of rag.
Tie the string first to the stake and
then to the plant. Green rafia and
q green stake detract least from the
beauty of the garden.
That ragged robin or bachelors but
ton has rather short blooming sea-
son. To insure continuous supply Of
this desirable annual q second SOW
ing Of seed should be made now.
The biennials, Canterbury bells and
Sweet William, should be pulled up
after they have bloomed. They sell
dom do much the second season and
the Sweet william becomes 50 strag-
gly that 1t is a nuisance. Pull them
up and grow new plants for next
years garden.
Slugs (sometimes called garden
snails) and SOW bugs cause consid-
cradle damage in our gardens as well
as give creepy feeling. One method
of control Is to soak slices Of raw po-
tato in q solution Of lead arsenate
Place the poisoned potato under boards
or fiowerpots as . safeguard. The
arsenate is highly poisonous and care
should be taken to keep children and
animals from getting 1t.
Plants not intended for food can be
protected with . spray Of arsenate Of
lead.
For small flower beds strip Of lime.
fine coal ashes, or SCOT Will serve as .
protection from the slugs. Removing
their hiding places, boards, rocks,
trash. ETC., Is another method Of con-
troll.
Wait until the tulip foliage has be-
gun to dry before digging and storing
the bulbs. They do not need 10 be
dug, however, unless they are TO be
moved or need thinning. Dry them
in the shade and when thoroughly
dried, clean and store in ventilated
boxes In q dry. airy place. The bulbs
keep better II stored in rather thin
layers-not over two inches at the
most.
Save the small bulbs they make
small flowers. 1t Is true, but they are
fine for small vases.
Planting in Shade.
For light shade. plant the dogwcod.