Evening star., 1947-02-19
AFRICAN VIOLETS.

trJOHL MISs D. W. E., w USfLILytOIt'j
I enjoy your column so much
every night Except Saturday and
Sunday, much to my regreD that
when I see an opportunity to be a
contributor I get real thrill over
it; so here is, I hope, something
which will rejoice the African violet
fans, copy of the December article
in the Better Homes and Gardens
magazine, about African violets. A
10-point program is outlined.
I did not copy the preamble to
these 10 points as I was afraid it
would take up too much space for
you to print. I have cut the article
out of the magazine and will keep
it in my files against any time there
might be a further call for informa-
ton.
SUCCESS WITH AFRICAN vfoLETs.
Ten-point program published in Decem-
SstsfE HHssees H1Rss aad aeeordng to
III Pink Beauty; Plum and white Lady pro.
to nine per stem. Blue Boy Supreme and
the two duPonts, particularly the pink one,
produce larger and handsomer flowers with
Z. coNTAfNERs-Use unpainted or
painted clay, glazed pots or the fatter bulb
Which permit fine foliage deysop
proach the sides Of the container. African
SSes sle Do e G e0qm p ek Ts gha by s
out it.' without harm On A'f the ~ palm Of the
nasd tocATnoNpiace les sff6snaia2n plants in full
erai daily hours Of sunshine through a
flowers ct one time Leaves have a more
yellow .tinge when grown in too strong
i. 'TEMPERATURE-The best plants are
Wsrm{h warmth 0Ta less than 50 degrees oeEtsiia ehseis
defTefS HGMpY 3 ft1en the fairy dry at
mosphere Of the average home it's best to
plants on pebble filled trays or saucers
with constant supply. Of water. for eyapo-
ration g. wRsN IT IS the uISsS Hxfyt eFs aepth Con-
plants. with their spreading foliage. from
less carelessly done: with moisture per
mitted to. lodge in the crown. To avoid
sp9nE aways use water at Of
soil condition seems advisable. The finest
Is poSred into eaeh saucer each moTning
but no more than can be absorbed by
be The and xeaps4 nee
Of the soil mixture are ali factors. The
ops0 sffnsS asazs ses sone eToskng for
drainage at the base Of all but very small
pots. In a or 4 inch container set one
hole and at two or three more above this
before filling in soil Fnally, firm firm soil
gently with 2 fork about four times q year.
gas tShs gheh stop
dste's offen Benefited @ by shift to the next Size
pSed apsrt ad pep may fsn
small containers. Or several small crowns
may Be SpaceSS S in s ons largs PCT # you like
light mixture: y each of average garden
loan, sand and humus, in the form OF
compost, peat moss, or woods soil; Rottins
H'e an Excellent source Of humus. ~
With such soil mixture extra plant
food does not seem to me to be necessary.
regular addition Of quite small amounts
Of plant food. particularly a complete fer
and increases number and size of flowers
(Some growers recommend the addition of
powdered charcoal and one teaspoon Of
SupeTphOSp0ate TO eaCn 4-lnCn p0t.--EQ.b }
10. CLEANLINESS dusty places dust
brush. Plant tops may also be lightly
s1nfSed onsS WAER 4 M1sT BE s0eas 81 Roo
TEMPERATURES and foliage be kept in the
Under favorable conditions and with
proper day-by-day care, pests and disease
will be rare.
We have been readers of the
Washington Star since 1918 and, to
me, the RCH Is the best forward
move this progressive paper has
made in that time. 1t certainly de-
velops interest in our neighbor and
his problems; which is decidedly
wholesome, and unselfish. The best
of luck to you all!
y y y
CRIB VS.. BASSINETTE.
From Mrs. r. E. B., Tnkonsd Park, J
To the lady who wishes to know
whether bassinet or crib is prefer
able: If by "crib" she should mean
one of those very small ones costing
about So or 50, my advice would be
against purchasing it, especially il
this is her first baby and she doesn't
realize how rapidly the little fellow
will grow. overheard prospective
mother discussing one of these cribs