Evening star., 1943-03-06
Home Clinic
Gore Con Erose Stoin
Of House-Gorden
BY MARGARET NOVEL;.

The minute this freezing weather
is over and the first fine Sunday
comes along it is time to take a
tour around the yard to see what
winter has done to the house and
garden.
Take a little pad and pencil along
and jot down what will be neces-
sary to repair the damage. When
you get back into the house you may
sort these into the things you may
do yourself and the "musts" which
are needed to keep your property
investment secure.
The Government has emphasized
that our property, which, once lost
or destroyed through neglect may
be irreplaceable for years, should
be protected and kept in repair
This is not only common sense
measure but duty to conserve
scarce and critical materials.
Protecting Investment.
In this res1ect, anything you may
do yourself is a boon to your own
investment and demands nothing in
the way of labor. But if roof, foun-
dation or drainage damage exists
and lack Of time or experience pre-
vents its attention Immediately, it
would be wise to start now to get
the necessary help.
With the plans for house repair
completed the next move is to get
the driveway, walks and garden
cleaned up ready for the early gar
dening days. Raking of leaves,
cleaning out the hedges and re-
pairing the fences usually discloses
good bit of damage from frost
and snow. Many of these surface
things may be attended to before
the ground is ready for the spade
and the hoe.
Should Prune Trees.
AS soon as the lawn Is dry on the
surface it should be raked thoroughly
and lawn fertilizer applied. Lawns
and walk should be edged and holes
filled with sod to keep them from
washing as soon as the soaking rains
of spring arrive.
Broken branches of trees and ever
greens should be pruned and mulches
removed from any of the bulb gar
dens. AS soon as this Is done your
property begins to look as though
spring had arrived.
The ensuing two weeks before it
is spading and planting time may be
wisely spent with the paint brush in
hand. The fence, garage doors and
lower back doors, where coal and
ashes have been handled. will show
the effects of hard winter A fresh
coat Of good paint will not only pre-
serve them from the weather, but
give your property spick and span
look
While you are about it, paint and
tape the handles of your garden
tools, tighten up the bolts on the
wheel barrow and give all the metal
parts good cleaning with kerosene
and a rundown with oil. This need
not be priority" oil. The draining
from the crank case of your car or
any crude variety will do the trick.
Nothing keeps metal from showing
wear and tear like a good oiling now
and then. Go over the hose for worn
spots. taping it or reinforcing with
rubber preservative and repair, any
of the connections. to be ready for
your first water cleanup.
Ready for Planting.
All Of this will find you ready and
waiting for the first planting days.
Whether you are planning a Victory
garden or have time only for q few
posies and the lawn, you may be sure
you will be spending most of your
time at home this summer. With
this In mind, it would be good plan
to make the garden as comfortable
as an outdoor living room. The time
IS now to make the plans and start
the background.