davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Back of Perennial
Borders Plant
HOllyhocks

The hollyhock is an old-fashioned
flower that has been grown for
hundreds Of years. Possibly no
other plant Is better remembered
in our grandmother's garden.
There are so many uses for holly
hooks that they would seem to be
real necessity in every garden.
Their greatest value is as a screen
for unsightly places, but they are
effective against walls or buildings,
in groups interspersed with low
shrubbery along walks or drives,
and in the back of perennial borders
to lend the needed height they are
indispensable. These tall-growing
perennials-5 to 8 feet high-are
often used as a. background until
shrubbery can be established.
Some people prefer the double
flowered, but to many the sim
plicity of the single fiowered makes
it most attractive. In the color of
the hollyhock lies its great beauty
because the leaves are rather coarse.
1IS COlOTS range AIOIu WIllIe 10 B
maroon red in the singles. Each
year new colors are added to those
available for the double -flowered
varieties.
Hollyhocks require a deeply dug,
well-drained soil of good loan and
leafmold. Well-decayed manure is
good. They do best in a warm
sunny location. During dry weather
they need abundant water. If holly
hooks are grown for a number of
years in the same place they may
be troubled with rust. Dusting with
lime and sulphur or Bordeaux mix
ture will curb the disease, but badly
infested plants should be dug and
burned and new ones bought and
put elsewhere for a time.
The newest variety introduced is
Indian Spring" an annual, semi
double, Of . very delightful shade
of pink, which flowers in approx
mately i've months from seeding.
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Dwarf Iris
Effective
Border
Available in Several
Colors and Heights,
According to Need

Sometimes a gardener needs a
low-growing colorful plant that will
stay put" for the sunny border.
The early-howering dwarf iris have
proved quite satisfactory for this
purpose. They started blooming on
April 7, and will continue in flower
for a month. Their foliage is good
and in other respects they make an
excellent foreground plant for the
border. edging and rock garden.
Dwarf iris are available in num-
ber of colors and shades. They do
we'll under the same conditions as
do their tall-bearded cousins. Sun.
drainage and the removal of crowd
ing weeds are the basic require
ments. A soil we'll enriched with
compost and bonemeal before plant
ing produces lusty growth and free
Towering.
In selecting dwarf iris for the bor-
der one is often overenthused by
the bright colors and the earliness
Of bloom, but one word Of caution.
These little fellows bloom when the
weather is raw and blustery and un-
less the flowers have considerable
| substance, or are in a protected
place, they will not stand up.
Among the varieties that I have
tried are atroviolacea, purple; honey
boy, soft yellow; prairie gem, rich
orange; bride, a good white; gra-
minea, deep wine color with
snowy gold beard, and blue standard,
a free blooming, vigorous bicolor.
There are many more, which I have
not tried, and no doubt many OF
them are superior to those men,
toned.
The erect foliage and freedom Of
bloom of these little 4 to 8 inch iris
make them rather effective as edg-
ings. The ease of culture and low
cost justify greater use. While
those named above are for the sunny
border, there are several species
which are adapted to the semi
shaded border, pathway and rock
garden.
While they do not bloom quite as
early as those mentioned above, their
grade and daintiness make them
most interesting. Iris cristata. a
dainty pale lavender, is fairly well
known. 1t thrives in a shady situa-
ton where the soil is well supplied
with leaf mold. Iris gracilipes is
even smaller and has small, rosy
lavender flowers marked with white
and yellow. Iris verna likes dry
bank and the best of drainage. and
when given the desired drainage
will stand partial shade in this area.
Further North it needs full sun.
Since these tiny iris have rather
short roots it is desirable to incor-
porate considerable humus in the
beds before planting. This is to
hold moisture and food close to the
surface for them.
Evening star., 1939-04-29
The Garden Notebook
Stake Peonies Before Bloom
Grows Dangerously Heavy

Pohatcong, Suwanee, Seminole and
Passumpsic.
The tulips are beginning TO bloom
and it is we'll to watch for the little
green aphids on the buds. These
tiny sucking insects, unless con-
trolled, deform the flowers and
spread diseases. A teaspoonful of
nicotine -sulphate to gallon Of
water with a little soap Is an ef-
fective control.
At this season Of the year 1t Is
we'll to check on the condition Of
dahlia tubers-see that they do not
become too dry and shrivel. If there
is any question add a little water.
Gardeners are complaining that
they are having an unusual amount
of trouble with seedlings this spring.
The usual application Of formal
dehyde dust has not prevented loss
from "damping OFF" This was due
in part to the lack Of sunshine and
in part to the high humidity Of the
atmosphere. Dusting with red cop
per oxide helped some but did not
give complete protection.
+
The axaleas are coming into full
flower now and are making fine
show in many gardens. These hardy
worthwhile flowers should be more
widely planted. They are avail
able in a wide variety of colors and
sizes. The one most commonly
seen-Hinodigiri-is magenta
pink. Apple Blossom and Hinamayo
are good pinks, while Snow and
Indica Alba are two very fine whites.
The Flame azalea, q tall growing
species. comes in shades of yellow
and red. There are many other
fine colors.
Do not prime or cultivate azaleas,
just give them a mulch Of leafmold
each spring and fall.
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Great Care Should
Always Be Taken
In Rose Pruning
By EDWIN H. PERKINS.


While the shoots Of strong grow
ing roses can be shortened at any
time during the growing season to
keep the plants within bounds, the
best blooms follow a scheme Of prun-
ing started when the buds are swell
ing. On the whole, these strong
growing climbers are used for
screens on fences or adornments to
trellises and other garden focal
points.
Since the climbers are screen
formers their earliest pruning should
consist Of removing all dead shoots
and injured canes. It Is q mistake
to prune beyond this point and re-
move wood which will bear flowers.
Care should be exercised with shoots
growing near q place where . dead
cane was removed. The new cane
should not be injured or pruned in
any way and every effort should be
bent on training the new cane to re-
place the one removed. After
blooming. all canes which bore
heavily can be removed provided the
screening ability Of the plant is not
too seriously impaired.
During the year the climbing roses
in your garden will need study. II
you use climbing ramblers you will
find their mall-nowered bunch
roses are produced on relatively i'm
permanent canes which are replaced
with new shoots originating from the
base of the plant. Such plants can
not be overpruned. Some other
types bloom best on wood that grew
last year, while others produce best
blooms on very old growths. The
trick in pruning for blooms is to
save the most wood OF the age that
produces the best and most flowers.
Observation for a year Will show
what is best for your type OF climb
ing roses.
Evening star., 1939-04-29
The Home Gardener

A week end working in the
perennial border Is ahead. 1t
is about the last chance we will
have to increase our plant pop
ulation by division and still re-
tain plants which will bloom
this year. The gaillardias,
shasta daisies, sneezeworts, heu-
cheras, veronicas and other
strong growing types, which
need division every year or two.
should be divided. Earlier we
broke of little side shoots and
replanted those. We cannot do
that now and expect blooming
plants on anything that flow-
ers before mid-June. With
chrysanthemums and fall
bloomers the side shoot method
Is still effective.
The best way to divide the
plants under consideration is,
first. dig the whole clump after
loosening the soil on all sides to
effect easy removal. Remove
as much soil as possible by
shaking, then work among the
long matter roots with the
nands and work out still more
dirt until the crown and roots
running from it come into
view. Next separate the plant
into three or more parts-de-
pending on the size of the
clump. 1t may tear apart. If
the parts will not separate, try
prying it apart. using an old
knife for leverage; If still un-
successful use a hatchet. The
writer has used a ha:chet for
dividing perennials over a long
period with no evident harmful
results.
Try to divide so that each
separate part contains at least
a small part of the parent
plants crown. This should
bloom If young plants attached
fall. Reset the divisions In we'll
worked soil, water thoroughly
and shade for a day or two.
Then the plant will act as If
nothing had ever happened
to it.
Evening star., 1939-04-29

VINO has 50 learned. 1t is dangerous,
for example, to plant box around the
rose garden or near japanese iris.
for roses and Japanese iris need
frequent feasts Of rich food that will
burn the box roots lying just under
the surface of the soil. 1t is diff
cult also for box to live at the top
Of a slope where the soil is easily
washed away. leaving the roots to dry
or freeze. Privet, too, has shallow
roots, and bone meal is the safest
diet for such plants.
What shall we have successfully In
shady corners? japanese barberry
will grow in the shade If kept moist.
Bush honeysuckle, snowberry. bridal
wreath and rose of Sharon are all
happy in the shade.
Low shrubs treasured for their
blooms are laurel, rhododendron,
Japanese ounce and abelia. The last
named has long period of bloom,
and will grow in any soil It IS
splendid for bordering a driveway.
Especially for their early and very
fragrant blooms let us have few
clumps of daphne or garland flower
and ,viburnum Carlesi in our borders.
For low screens and backgrounds
We have lilacs, strawberry bush, va
rieties of viburnum. mockoranges,
Russian olive and privet California
privet is an adaptable shrub. 1t can
be pruned down to low hedge or
will grow to rs feet. When allowed
to grow and bloom it makes beau
tiful screen.
Some of the dwarf or prunable
plants for edgings and borders are
the spireas. box. japanese astilbe
slender deutzia, azalea, Tom Thumb
and Globe aborvitae and japanese
barberry. Barberry (Berberis thun
bergD, so bright in the autumn, is
useful as defensive hedge, for il
is dog-proof.
When planting barberry and privet
for hedges 1t is more satisfactory to
set the plants II to ID inches apart
zigzaggedly on two lines. Eight tc
ten inches is sufficient space between
the rows. Barberry is prettier wher
pruned irregularly. When pruning
privet 1t is unwise to leave the top
Of the plant so broad that the lower
part Is overshadowed.
Evening star., 1939-04-29

them may be applied with an in
secticide gun to the tiny seedlings.
1t has the added advantages of not
remaining in the soil and not in
juring seeds. 1t is also reported to
kill dandelions and plantain.
Iron sulphate is very effective
against the winter annual-chick-
week, which will soon be gone for the
season. Dissolve 2 pounds of iron
sulphate in l gallon of water and
sprinkle the creeping pest. If the
plants are scattered, wetting the
foliage is adequate, but where the
ground is covered by them, use !
gallon to 200 square feet. Avoid get
ting this spray on clothes or walks
as 1t stains badly. While the iron
sulphate blackens the leaves Of blue
grass, the injury is temporary, ex-
cept during hot, dry weather, when
it may kill bluegrass because the
plants will absorb too much while
they are thirsty.
The weeds in the flower border
and garden in most cases can be
easily controlled by early cultiva-
ton. When their seeds are begin
ming to germinate a simple stirring
of the soil will kill them. When they
are we'll rooted, however, they arc
less easily killed and the work of
cultivating is many times harder. It
is seldom feasible to use chemicals
in the flower border. Thus 1t be-
comes a matter Of early cultivation
the use of effective tools or a back
breaking struggle, with the weeds
winning out as soon as the weather
gets hot
Various mulches have been tried
with some success. The paper mulch
is good where plants are in straight
rows-peatmoss applied after the
flowers are up will check many
weeds. and straw may be used to
smother them in the shrub border.
The best solution. though, is an
early start and the use Of every tool
ut hand-good implements, chemi-
Gals and mulches-but in any case,
get the weeds before they get the
garden.
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Cutting Grass Too
Short Bad Fault

The rains Of the last few days
have brought the lawns along in
good shape and most Of them have
been cut at least once. The ten
dency at this season Of the year is
to cut grass too short for strong root
growth. A good rule to follow is
never have the lawnmower set to
cut the grass shorter than an inch
and half. Later on In May it is
well to raise the cutter bar so that
1t will cut 2 or az inches high. The
shade from a husky stand of blue
grass that is 21a inches high will kill
many Of the crabgrass seedlings.
Evening star., 1939-04-29

dllS 4Ol 011
Weeds! Why did they ever happen?
They increase the work of hoeing
and planting, they crowd out the
grass and leave ugly bare spots in
the lawn, and they rob the plants
of food and moisture. There are so
many things that I would much
rather do than pull weeds. The
mention of the word produces a
crimson shade from my eyes to my
toes.
Fortunately for some of us, the
chemists and research workers are
tackling this problem In serious
fashion. Some day we will see the
last of these weeds-I hope-but
until then we shall have to use the
best of the available weapons at
hand.
Take our lawns-crab grass is
enemy No. /, but the dandelion,
plantain, buckthorn narrow-leaved
plantain) and garlic are not far
behind. The crab grass can be
controlled by several methods. The
grass specialist maintains that If
we feed our lawns well and do not
cut the bluegrass too short that we
will have little trouble with crab
grass. The home gardener wonders
whether or not 1t is safe to kill the
crab grass, for he does not want a
bare eXpanse Of dirt when the blue
grass becomes more or less dormant
under our hot summer sun. And
the chemist comes forth with his
magic and says sprinkle this on
those little crab grass seedlings and
you will have no more trouble.
Yes. we have had number of
chemicals offered, but some OF
them were worse than the crab
grass. The sodium chlorate made
everything touched so highly in
flammable that we were afraid to
use 1t for fear that a carelessly
dropped cigarette might burn our
yard and house. Kerosene worked
very well, but here again the rene
dy seemed more dangerous than it
actually was. and it had to be ap-
piled with such care that it fright
ened some people more than was
necessary. Now we have products
on the market which avoid the fire
hazard and at the same time are
not so difficult to apply. One of
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Creating an
Illusion Of
Distance
Use Color and Line
To Make Tiniest
Area Seem Big
BY EDITH L. HOUGH.

The smallest space may be made
charming garden, not simply
planted with flowers here and there,
but designed as a miniature formal
or rock garden. If a back yard, for
example, is large enough only for
a small pool, dwarf plants may be
set around the edge of the water.
If there is little more space, 4
variety Of tall flowers may be plant
ed at the rear. diminishing In height
toward the front. Long lines give
an illusion Of distance. If the area
is longer than it is wide, so much
the better; II it Is square, taller
plants may be arranged on the sides
to leave an oblong space in the CEN
ter.
The smaller the garden, the more
should the color blue predominate,
for it makes any space seem larger,
resembling the air above and never
obtruding upon the sight. Delphini-
ums, larkspur, cornf1owers, petunias
and fax are some of the most suit
able blue flowers. Red should not
be used except in the tiniest of
patches. The less there is Of bright
color the more spacious the garden
seems, for If the eye is not arrested
by vivid tones, 1t can take in a wider
vista. In very small space green
shrubs and herbs alone may form
successfully the whole garden.
With the taller flowers in the
background. grouped rather at the
sides than in the direct center, and
the center of the garden left COM
paratively bare. many kinds Of flow
ers can be planted without crowd
ed effect. If there is a border on
either side. the paths may run paral-
lei to it, thus saving space and FORM
ing other long lines. A long, narrow
pool will add astonishingly to the
length. These are often made the
center and chief point Of interest in
the smaller gardens.
Irregular, naturalistic planting is
suited especially to confined areas.
Though the spot may not be as
sheltered and damp as rock garden
requires, moisture can be provided
by a subterranean lead pipe, per-
forated with holes about every nine
inches. closed at the further end and
the other made with coupling to
attach a hose. Watering twice
week in this way will keep the gar
den sufficiently damp. A large va
riety Of plants will grow here
ageratum, phlox, sweet alyssum,
pansies, ferget-me-nots, geraniums
and many herbs. Trees on the sides
would provide the necessary shade.
Evening star., 1939-04-29
It's time, to plant gladiolus bulbs

It's time, to plant gladiolus bulbs
now. II variety of sizes are
planted about the same depth a
long season of bloom will result.
Bulbs of the same size planted at
various depths will provide continu-
Gus bloom for several weeks and
by a selection of varieties the season
Of bloom can be extended over a
period of several weeks.
Plant the corms at least inches
deep 50 that the roots will not dry
out and also will support the tall
flower spikes. Most growers incor-
porate humus and fertilizer in the
soil before planting. Two pounds
of 4-8-5 fertilizer and one pound
of bone meal per 100 feet of bed.
1t is not too early to stake peonies.
Do not wait until the heavy
blooms are borne to the ground by
wind and rain. A coat hanger bent
into a hoop and fastened to couple
of stakes works fairly we'll. A small
wooden hoop is also an effective
support.
X i
Now Is . good time to look over
the daffodils and mark those that
are too crowded for good bloom
When the foliage is mature mental
notes are lost and the digging and
thinning is of necessity postponed
until next season.
\ X X +
The United States Department
Of Agriculture has distributed to
nurserymen a number of hardy
early Towering varieties of chrys-
anthemums, which are available for
purchase this year. They are worth
trying, especially since they were
developed under local conditions,
and thus can be expected to do
very we'll here. The varieties were
given Indian nameSBarnegat, AL
gonquin, Amoskeag, Geronimo, Mat
avian, Nanantico. Otsego, Muskogee,
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Seeds in Cold Frame

Have you started planting seeds
in the cold frame yet? Well, It is
high time to start zinnias, mari
colds, china asters, annual phlox.
ageratum, etc. It is not too early
to SOW some seeds In the beds or
borders, bachelor buttons, shirley
poppies, California poppies, lark
spurs, calendulas, etc. Ordinary
bedding petunias may be sown In
the border, but the runed types
are best started in q cold frame.
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Soap for Soil Streaks

Q.-What IS the best way to re-
move soil streaks on the seams OF
underwear and inside the neck
bands and cuffs on mems shirts?
A.-Dampen the fabric and rub
soap directly on to the soiled places
before the garment goes into the
tub or washer Friction with q
soap-lathered hand brush also helps
If clothing is washed often enough
soil is less likely to become In
grained.
Evening star., 1939-04-29

HuSG Uc dAlOWCU W IcSt OII q 1duu0d4
repercussion.
One Of the most restful gardens I
have seen is a perfectly balanced
combination OF orderliness and di-
versif!cation. A glimpse Of it is a
happy surprise to one walking river
ward on the left side of Prince
street in Alexandria, Va. Through
wrought iron gate is to be seen
part Of the old garden of the pre-
Revolutionary Fairfax House. now
the home of Col. and Mrs. Charles
Beatty Moore. Along the old grape
arbor where the same vines have
produced fruit for more than one
hundred years, Is row of box. and
beneath the box a low border of
Ivy. At right angles to this pleas
ing blend Of green's. edging the en-
trance walk, are dwarf box plants
and clumps of pansies. These rhym-
ing boundaries enclose a smooth
space of grass, and this much shining
through the tall iron fence Is enough
to make one wish to penetrate be-
yond the old grape arbor.
There are no disappointments in
the gardens beyond. The same Or
der prevails. The grass ceases on
knife edge along the paths. but
there is cleanliness without stiffness.
An OLD pear tree leans toward the
house. One wall of the pre-Revo-
lutionary kitchen was left stand
ing between the old garden and
the stairs leading down to the new
lower garden added by the Moores
when they purchased the place 10
years ago. The new garden is full
Of flowers and rhythmic with a
fountain. Evident care has been
given to color combinations in the
borders. There are profuse blue
and gold patterns In hyacinths and
daffodils followed by irises and prim-
roses. and still later by asters and
zinnias.
Design without rigidity; that is the
ideal. To achieve 1t IN boundaries
and borders, where, when and how
shall we plant what? 1t is easy to
find in good garden books long lists
and descriptions of plants for edg-
ings, hedges, windbreaks and screens,
but there are things one must learn
from experience or to be told by one
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Transplantine Perennials

The transplanting of Seeding pc
rennials from the cold frame to the
border should be completed at an
early date. They need time to be-
come well established before hot
weather. There is little to be gained
by starting the seeds of perennials
at this time. Put them in the cold
frame after the ANIMALS are out of
the Way.
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Globe Radishes

When globe radishes grow into an
oval shape, the fault is probably
not In the seed. but in dry weather,
which causes the roots to elongate
In search Of water.
Evening star., 1939-04-29
DR.. Paul Bartsch
Guest Speaker

The Neighborhood Garden Club
Of Gaithersburg, Nd, and Wash
ington Grove held its April meeting
at the home of Mrs. Lewis Reed.
The hostess was assisted by Mrs.
Yates Barber and Mrs. Carroll
Walker. Following the luncheon
Mrs. Mortimer Stabler of Sandy
Spring gave an interesting talk on
flower shows. Plans are being made
for flower show to be held early
in May.
The Garden Club of Chevy Chase,
Md, will hold its meeting on We'd
nesday at o'clock at Ashleigh, on
Bradley boulevard, the home Of
Mrs. Robert Ash. Co-hostess with
Mrs. Ash will be Mrs. Jennings
Bailey. jr. The guest speaker. DR..
Paul Bartsch, who will talk on Tam
ing the Wildings"
Evening star., 1939-04-29
By MARGARET NOVEL;.

Il.
small garden beside the kitchen the
gardeners greatest delights Set out in pattern has decorative
Full herbs the garden and offers
and table and the household
Verbena fragrant finger bowls and dried for
the mint drinks jeies
perfume; dried for
sache Cves delicate onion flavor salads and
delightful pickles Dill for pickles.
Thyme both fresh and dried aromatic seasoning for meats and
caoes Parsley garnh and seasoning for the table,
Evening star., 1939-04-29
n E R B S

HERB PLANTS: Pot-grown. easily shipped.
DRIED HERBS: For Salads omelsts. etc.
HERD COOKERY: Booklet Of Recipes sent
on receipt OF Is cents.
HERB CATALOGUE: Sent % receipt OF 10
cents
WEATHEREp OAK HERB FARlA. lac.
BRADLEY AnLs. RKTmsDA. MARYLAND
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Asparagus Planting

Asparagus beds started from seed
will begin producing well almost as
soon as q bed started from roots.
A bed in rich, deep soil will last Z
lifetime.
Evening star., 1939-04-29
Chemists Have Improved
On Mixtures and Various
Methods of Application
Early Warfare With Weapons
Designed for the Purpose
Will Keep Enemy at Bay
BY w. H. YOUNGMAN.

weeds If Only the grass grew in my lawn as well as does IN my
lawn chckwed beds the the lily
enough
lovely flowers praised then resolve
to regular killing program weeds be