Evening star., 1950-09-10
ThisWeekin
theGurden

pared, enriched soil, scattering
them thinly and covering lightly
(1s inch) with compost, sand or
peatmoss. The seeds will soon
sprout and the young plants make
an inch or two of top growth be-
fore cold weather checks their
progress. However, they are hardy
and need no protection. Most OF
the other hardy ANIMALS, such as
Shirley poppies. portulaca, Cali
fornia poppy, etc, may be sown
later on, but all should be sown in
the fall for best results.
The season for fall flower shows
is at hand and they are always
worth visiting in order that the
gardener may see and know the
better kinds and varieties. Note
those kinds which make the best
showing and have good substance,
form and color. Make a record
of them SO that when ordering
you will have the necessary in
formation.
Sod areas that have not been
treated for control of the japanese
beetle may be treated now with
the milky spore disease q pound
to 5000 square feet), chlordane
g ounces per 1000 square feet)
or DDT (25 pounds of 10 per cent
dust. The Japanese beetle grubs
feed on grass roots during the fall.
winter and spring, hence early
grub-prooflng is needed to protect
our lawns and pastures. The milky
spore disease gives permanent pro-
lection but is slower acting. Chlor-
dane gives immediate control but
is unlikely to persist for more than
a few years. However, the two
may be applied at the same time
for immediate as well as perma-
nent protection.
Reports indicate the develop
ment of a disease-resistant elm
the Buisman elm-not yet avail
able commercially, but good news
for those who feared the elm, like
the chestnut. would pass from
view.
The recent muggy weather was
very favorable to plant diseases.
Mildew is quite prevalent on
lilacs and zinnias. Roses, unless
protected with dust or spray, are
showing plenty of blackspot and
mildew. Keep the plants protected
as fully as possible. These diseases
weaken the plants and they are
not able to go into the winter in
a strong, healthy condition.
A new way of killing weedy
trees: Scrape the bark away near
the base of the trunk, wrap with
soft rags or cheesecloth, soaked
with mixture of kerosene and
2, 4-D. Use three times as much
kerosene as 2, AID. This will kill
the trees to the tips of their roots.
This remedy should be very effec-
tive on sassafras, sumac and
others that spread by root suckers.
The foliage of early planted
gladiolus should soon show signs
of maturity. Dig the corms as
soon as the foliage begins to turn
brown. Do not wait until it has
dried because the corms, when
dormant, will rot quickly in a
wet soil during the heat of the
summer. Dry them in the sun for
few days and then store indoors
in dry, airy place for a month
or more before attempting to re-
move the old CORN and loose
husks. After cleaning, the corms
should be busted with DDT to
control the thrips.
DR.. B. A. Porter, of the Agricul-
ture Department, stated recently
that DDT will defoliage oriental
elms. Most of us had thought
the elm leaf beetle and the
Japanese beetle were doing the
damage and sprayed the trees
with DDT. Next year we will
use Methoxychlor.
The common name for new
and potent rodenticide just an
nounced is "warfarin." Formerly
known as Compound AZ, it is pri-
marily for the control of rats. 1t
will probably be some time before
commercially available.
Fall planting is best for spring
Towering trees Except the decidu-
Gus magnolias), shrubs and peren-
nials-imperative for trollius,
phlox, dicentra (bleedingheart !,
anemone, columbines and cam
panulas. Plant the perennials as
early as possible so that they will
be well established before cold