davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-08-16
Herbaceous Forms
Of Clematis Have
Been Developed

Every gardener knows and ad-
mires the climbing Clematis but 1t
is not generally known that there
are several bushy herbaceous forms
being cultivated which are distinc-
tive and interesting.
There is the Clematis davidiana,
which is very handsome-a semi
shrubby plant that blooms in the
summer. The flowers are very
pretty, borne in clusters around the
stems and ending with handsome
seed pods. The tops generally die
back in winter, so this plant is
treated as an herbaceous perennial.
Then there is white -howering
Clematis recta, which is not so
handsome as Clematis davidiana but
rather different and snowy in the
garden. Whitish Clematis stans, an
erect herb up to feet. bears white
and sometimes blush flowers in ter
minal panicles. Semi-shrubby Gle
mats integrifolia blooms with rather
handsome urn-shaped blue flowers
in June and July. The most hand
some of all the dwarf and shrubby
Clematis. in the opinion of gardeners
who know it, is the variety durandi.
hybrid between intergrifolio and
jackmani. This is violet-blue in
color and very pretty in bloom.
These unusual kinds of Clematis
are we'll worth growing, very easy OF
culture. and give a different outlook
in the flower border. Even some of
the climbing kinds of Clematis can
be kept back and made into subjects
for the flower border. Any we'll
drained neutral soil will grow these
to perfection and give distinction to
your garden.
Evening star., 1942-08-16
Humus Depleted by
Growing Plants

Growing plants are constantly de-
pletlng the supply of humus from
the soil, and no matter how rich 1t
is originally it will soon become
unfit to sustain plant life If 1t Is
used year after year and no manure
is ever added Commercial fertilizer
will supply plant food, but they do
not contain humus.
Except in the country manure Is
becoming hard to obtain every year,
and it is growing increasingly more
expensive. If it cannot be pro-
cured some other method must be
used to provide the soil in the
garden plot with regular supply
of humus. Fallen leaves. grass clip
pings, weeds, vegetable parings,
waste from cooking, all plants
pulled up in the fall df disease
free) can all be spaded back into
the ground for this purpose OF
added to the compost heap.
Another way to supply humus Ii
to plant the soil to cover crop
or green manure of some kind, SOW
ing it between the rows of vege-
tables late in the season. and spad-
ing it under in the spring so that
it will decay before planting time.
Barley, rye and buckwheat are
good for this purpose, or If your
soil needs nitrogen use some OF the
leguminous crops such as crimson
clover, Canada field peas or winter
tAh lot, 81
may be used In any case spade the
cover crop under and work 1t in
several times. Never leave the soil
without humus and expect 1t to grow
successful crops
Evening star., 1942-08-16
Slo,u-Grouiing Winter Radish
Little Kn01un in America

The large. SLOW growing winter
radish is not well known to Ameri-
can gardeners, being grown more
extensively in Europe. The last of
the roots may be dug up otter the
first light frost and stored in moist
sand in a cool place, where they
will keep for several weeks. Usually,
they are peeled, cut in thin slices,
salted and eaten raw as an appe-
tizer.
These radishes take about IS days
to reach full maturity and seem
to grow much better if planted dur
ing midsummer so as to obtain fun
growth during the cool fall days.
AS they can be planted after some
early harvest and thus make double
use OF the garden space, they are
a good addition to our garden crops.
The winter radish will grow well
in any garden soil that is fairly
Evening star., 1942-08-16
Sumner Care of the La1vn
Consists of Three Tasks

Summer care of the lawn con-
sists principally of keeping it well
supplied with water during dry
spells. moving whenever necessary
and preventing annual weeds from
reseeding themselves Do not ferti-
lize the lawn during hot summer
months unless there is plenty of
rainfall or artificial watering to
make the plant food available. In
this case use only half the amount
given In spring feeding-about 20
pounds to 1000 square feet is suf-
f1cient.
A light daily sprinkling is of no
particular use to the lawn; give it a
complete soaking once week in
stead.
Remember that if weeds are not
allowed to reseed themselves they
will be crowded out in two or three
seasons by vigorously growing grass
plants.
Evening star., 1942-08-16

on the stem instead of the crown.
which prevents the plant sending
the proper nourishment to the
bloom.
In fact, have successfully
planted many peony with the eve
or eyes exposed. Generally speak
ing, our winters are not so severe
that the cold has much affect on
the eye.
The question of mulch should be
a must for planting in this eli
mate. The gardeners in this local
ity always are plagued by the con-
tinual freezing and thawing of the
ground. This action causes many a
plant to heave out of the ground
and be destroyed by the air. Be
sure to mulch we'll, at least the first
year. Early planting in September
is big help to prevent this heav-
ing, as some growth takes place, the
rootlets having anchored to the
ground before the dormant season
sets in. AS suggestion may state
that l have used as a mulch grass
cuttings which I have saved from
the summer lawn moving. Also it is
a wise practice to attach a name
tag to a wire or bamboo stake and
insert it where you have planted
the peony.
In an article published on this
page during May I made several
suggestions as to the varieties which
thrive hereabouts. The informa-
ton was given mainly for those
plant lovers who wanted to intro
duce the peony into their gardens
and to those who wished to increase
their paintings. Briefly in suggest
ing merely few varieties, l would
advise acquiring:
White-kelWay's Glorious rating
90, Alice Harding t95), LIE Cygne
(99), Festiva maxima t9.3) one of
the oldest varieties but still excel
lent, Solange t97, slow to open
here, but worth trying.
Pink-Walter Faxon (93p, jean
not 92) Helen t90)-this is a sin
gle and very much worth while.
Red-Richard Carvel (88), Ma
tilda Lewis Goa large, very dark
bloom.
The above Is merely one group
There are many others of the same
high standard which I would like to
discuss, but lack of space in this
issue will not allow it.
Evening star., 1942-08-16
Shrub Regains Popularity
Oleander Is Easily Grown; Makes
An Excellent City House Plant

too, not as many, however, as some
plants. It's worst trouble is scale
and mealybug. The scale is easily
brushed off. To destroy the mealy-
bug and it's cottony mass, set the
plant outdoors and give it good
washing with the hose Sometimes
the buds have dry appearance and
open very irregularly. This is due
to imperfect ripening of the wood
which is caused from too little light
and air. When this condition is
first noticed, water the plant less.
The juices of this plant are poi
sonous-so good rule to follow
is smell the flowers but do not eat
them.
1t is interesting that charcoal is
said to be made from the soft light
wood of the oleander and used in
Algeria for making gunpowder.
Perhaps today it is used in other
places, too, for the same purpose.
Evening star., 1942-08-16

Early fall is the ideal time to feed
the lawn. The summer weeds should
be eradicated by now. and all the
plant food will go to the grass roots.
Do not NOW the grass as often at
this season, cut it only when
necessary. Rake up leaves as they
fall, as they tend to suffocate the
grass roots.
Patch bare spots by raking vigor-
ously or spading, working in fer
tilizer and compost. rake till smooth
and level, and SOW in new seed
thickly. Grade slight depressions by
mulching lightly and often with
rich compost. A fall mulch is sell
dom needed, but if used a granu-
lated peat moss is better than coarse
manure which may contain weed
seeds. Avoid walking on the grass
during winter thaws caused by mild
weather. as this cuts the turf, leav-
Ing holes and a rough surface.
Evening star., 1942-08-16

One of the fundamentals, naturally,
should be to select a reliable peony
grower from whom to purchase your
roots. There are many in the country
and the majority are members of
the American Peony Society. Hav-
ing forwarded your order, you should
receive your root or roots during
September, as that is the ideal
month for planting in this locality.
1t would be wise for you at the
time of ordering the roots to select
the site in the garden in which
you are to plant them. Also at that
time dig hole about 20 or "a inches
deep depositing the top soil at one
side and the balance of the dirt at
another. After the hole has been
dug, throw in at the bottom two
or three handfuls of bonemeal or
other fertilizer and mix with the
loose dirt at the bottom Now fill
in the hole, putting in the top soil
first, and then mark the location
Ordinarily, the peony root will not
be longer than or inches. During
the course of three or four years
the original root and the others
made during that time will have
increased in growth so that they will
be feeding on the fertilized ground
at the bottom of the hole This care
should. with the added fertilization
you give them from time to time,
insure the life of the plant for many
years to come. Remember, also,
when selecting your site. that they
do not like heavy shrubs or trees
encroaching upon their domain
When your roots arrive they prob
ably will be wrapped in moist spagh-
mum moss. Each plant should con-
sist of two or more healthy roots
surmounted by from three to five
eyes. These eyes will perhaps vary
in size. Any eye which appears to
be the size of the end of your little
finger will nine times out of ten
develop into bloom the following
spring
In planting the root. and this is
important, be sure that you do not
cover the top, or the highest, eye
with more than an inch or an inch
and a half of dirt. Many peony
authorities claim that the too-deep
planting OF peOnies causes lack of
bloom in later years and a study of
the habits of growth certainly bears
this out. Too-deep planting has
tendency to cause the eyes to form
Evening star., 1942-08-16

fertile, moist and friatle. The secret
of successful crop Is to keep the
radishes growing rapidly so that
they do not become woody or pun
gent in flavor. 1t is advisable to add
good, complete fertilizer to the
soil at planting time. If the seed
is sown somewhat thick.y and ger
inmates well, the seedlings must
be thinned out enough SO they do
not crowd each other Cultivate
constantly to preserve soil moisture
and keep out all weeds
If the radishes are kept growing
rapidly and are cultivated cleanly
they will not be bothered by many
pests. A root maggot is the most
serious menace, but corrosive sub
Innate can be applied to the rows
and small paintings screened against
the pest Flea beetles or plant lice
may attack the plants, but the dam
age done by these pests is negligible.
Evening star., 1942-08-16
Snowy Vine Produces
Masses of Tubular
Orange Blossoms

One Of the very snowy vines is
the HARDY trumpet-creeper or Camp
sis, which produces masses of tubu-
lar orange flowers through many
weeks in the summer when snowy
plants are few in number. This old
fashioned plan. sometimes has a
bad reputation because of its tend
ency to become rampant, but as
blooms are produced on new wood.
it will stand almost any amount of
pruning and is fairly easy to keep
in shape Trumpet-creeper is fire.
quentiy very useful for covering un-
slightly walls, fences and even old
trees and stumps.
Then, there is the even more spec
tacular and distinctive Chinese
trumpet t-creeper, usually listed in
catalogues as Campsis or Bignonla
grandlfora. This is very snowy and
has larger flowers than the ordinary
kind In exposed situations this Chi
nese species may not be quite hardy,
but it may be protected easily. Bet
ter still, favor it little by selecting
situation protected from drying
winter winds and in well-drained,
porous soil that will encourage
thorough ripenlng of the season s
growth
A hybrid between this Chinese
trumpet-creeper and the American
one also has very attractive flowers.
1t is worth growing, and it is offered
by many nurseries at a moderate
price. These rapid growing vines
offer attractive possibilities for
boundaries and fences inclosing
home gardens, particularly when it
is understood that they should be
pruned hard and kept within
bounds. They are we'll adapted to
our climate and will grow in most
any we'll drained soil.
Evening star., 1942-08-16
Fall Culture of PeOnies
September Is the Ideal Month for
Their Selection and Planting
By J. SfeaIey Elms

AS in the latter February
flower catalogues
at these
material OF the chief
other periodicals the subject which
flower lovers, peony.
Many OF will
visited the
several flower shows featuring peonies
In an earlier article pointed the really satisfactory method
secung plants which
notes OF name rating and general characteristics growth Many
visited gardens followed this procedure did
visited the the planting
and culture Of the and also
Evening star., 1942-08-16
By 4 gnes Trimble.

The Oleander, an d-faShloned
shrub, with sWeet-scented blossoms
and usually grown in a tub, used to
be known to every one, and was
cultivated in all southern countries
but, like everything else, it had its
day and was forgotten. But now,
this evergreen plant, also known as
Nerium for ancient is becoming
popular again-especially in the
East.
The Bermuda Islanders have al
ways been proud of their oleander
hedges, growing from 7 to Is feet
high, with snowy flowers ranging in
color from white through creamy
white. blush, rose and copper color,
to crimson and dark purple, with
variegated forms.
The oleander belongs to the Apo
cynaceae family of which there are
only two or three species. The peri
Wrinkle, trailing evergreen hero
with blue and white blossoms, is
Of this family, too.
This ancient plant is easy to
grow and makes an excellent city
house plant. In larger homes it
can gracefully take the place OF the
dignified palm-really. to an sd
vantage because of its exquisite
blossoms, both single and double,
and its foliage which is handsome,
long and narrow in Whorls of three,
and transversely feather-veined.
In summer the oleander, wooden
tub and all, is moved to the garden,
and. while lending it's decora tiveness
there, it stores strength that in
sures health and beauty when it is
returned to the house.
After Towering has finished give
the plant less water. This is also
the time to cut back the old wood
that has already borne blooms.
Some of these prunings may be used
to start new plants by roofing them
in bottles of water or in box of wet
sand.
When the prunings have rooted,
set them out in small containers
filled with good garden soil-the
type used for geraniums. Do not
encourage the new plants to grow
keep them just barely alive until
about February.
In the summer these new plants
can be put down in the ground, but
plunging their pots down into the
soil is considered the better plan.
In the fall, before bringing them in
doors, water them several times with
a weak manure water. September is
the time for repotting when neces-
sary, and also to top and shape them
as desired.
These plants will make good
crowns and do their first Towering
in the early spring The first
blooms will not be as shapely or
as colorful as the later ones. If
the plants are not allowed to bloom
in their third year, the result will
be worth the sacrifice. for they will
be fine specimen plants full of glori-
Gus flowers the following spring
Try one plant and see!
The oleander has a few worries
Evening star., 1942-08-16

problem in several ways. Probably
the least conspicuous and less costly
; Is to have shallow grass covered
ditch at the edge of each terrace
which carries the water to a deeper
ditch at the side of the yard. to a
tile drain. or to gutter where it
will be carried away without injury
to plants and garden.
The size OF each terrace will de-
pend for the most part upon the
slope OF the lot. On a steep slope it
Will be dlf1cult to have large ter
races. A terrace to be used for
games or other recreational pur-
poses will need to be larger than
one used for flower beds alone.
While terrace to be used for veee-
table gardening may be of an in
termediate size.
Each terrace should be treated as
separate unit-flowers, vegetables.
service, recreational, etc. The walls
and shrubbery will so separate them
that they can be developed to what
ever use may best suit the owner.
One may be given a formal treat
ment if desired while the next may
be vegetable garden or an informal
flower border. In such diverse uses,
however, the walls and shrubbery
should be sufficient to completely
separate them so that one will not
be conscious OF what Is on the next
terrace, this to avoid conflicting
impressions. This is not at all diff
cult as any one who has visited a
big flower show will agree.
Terraced gardens need just as
much care in planning of their use
and preparation as any other type
OF garden. In many cases, especially
on slopes. the soil will have been SO
badly washed that it will need much
building up if 1t Is to produce satis-
factory results. In any case, the
enjoyment to be obtained from a
garden depends to large extent
upon the health and vigor of the
plants-grass, flowers, shrubs and
trees. To have a healthy vigorous
growth they need to be planted in
properly prepared soil
In making sunken garden the
top soil should be carefully removed
and after a foot or two of the sub
soil has been dug and carted away,
replaced. If available, additional
top soil might we'll be added before
the final grade is established After
the grading has been done it is de-
sirable to allow the soil to settle two
or three weeks before giving the soil
final leveling and the starting OF
planting and seeding. II the soil can
be given this period to settle much
time and effort will be saved as roll
ing or tramping can seldom be de-
pended upon to properly settle the
soil even though the fill is only foot
or two in depth.
Terraced gardens in addition to
adding interest to a garden offer a
practical way Of handling slopes
and otherwise difficult situations.
They provide logical situations for
rock gardens and rock walls. They
are adapted to sunny or shady situa-
tions. Because of these features the
home gardener should consider
their adaptation to his particular
situation before his garden pro-
crosses beyond the planning stage.
Evening star., 1942-08-16
American Countries
Have Insecticides

With the diversion of large guam
titles Of materials used in insecti-
cides for immediate war produc-
ton, one OF the most serious prob
lens facing entomologists is the de-
velopment of effective substitutes
r. c. Roark. chemist of the Bureau
of Entomology and Plant Quaran-
tine, United States Department of
Agriculture, said in an address pre-
pared for the second inter- -Ameri-
can conference of agriculture, held
In Mexico City July 6-l6:
Our main supply of some of the
most effective organic insecticides
was from Europe and the Orient" :"
Mr. Roark said This supply has
been entirely cut OFF The outlook
for growing insecticidal plants in
Central and South America appears
especially bright In 1910 the United
States imported 6500,0O0 pounds OF
rotenone- bearing roots. The present
potential market is 10000. 900 pounds,
and this market is bound to expand
"Pyrethrum flowers. of which the
United States imported 100000
pounds in 1887, would grow we'll in
the high plateaus Of Mexico. At
present almost the entire world
production is grown in eastern AZ
rica.
advantage should be taken OF the
opportunity to produce in the Amer
icas insecticides which must now be
transported half around the world. :"
Mr.. Roark pointed out that raw
materials used in the manufacture
of insecticides come from manv of
the American republics: Copper
from Chile, arsenic and antimony
from Mexico, sulphur and florine
from United States, cube from Peru
limbo from Brazil. barbasco from
Venezuela and nicotine from United
States. No one country, he said,
Is self f-sufhcient in materials for
combating the numerous animal and
plant pests that affect agriculture
and only by free interchange of
raw materials among the American
nations is 1t possible TO carry on
the night.
Evening star., 1942-08-16
New Book Will Help
Gardening Efforts
OF the Amateur

Food Gardens for Defense" by
M. G. Kains and published by
Greenberg, New York City, is an
other addition to the rapidly grow
Ing list of books designed to help
our victory gardening effort. This
one by Mr.. Kains, a we'll known
and widely read author, will no
doubt appeal to many gardeners.
The main emphasis is put upon
vegetable gardening although fruits
are given ample treatment. Mr..
Kains writes entirely for the home
gardener and many Of his interest
ing and Informative illustrations
deal with his own experiences.
The section devoted to vegetable
gardening begins with emphasis on
planning the garden and then, de-
scribes the importance of growing
choice kinds and varieties of vege-
tables. Prolonging the season so
that the home table may have the
benefit of home grown products slso
comes In for attention as does the
harvesting and storing of the sur
plus.
Fruits are similarly treated. with
out too much attention to technical
details, Each type of fruit is given
attention-strawbe bush fruits,
grapes, and the tree fruits. Dwarf
fruits are especially emphasized as
the author believes them to be best
adapted to the backyard.
Pest control, suitable tools, soil
preparation, hot beds and cold
frames, green manures, and many
other basic garden problems are
given attention In addition a con-
siderable number of handy refer
ence tables are given in the ap-
pendix.
This book is written in an inter-
esting, chatty style, and while 1t
may paint rather optimistic pic
ture of what may be accomplished
In backyard, the facts given are
substantially correct.
w. H. Y.