Evening star., 1950-12-03
This Week
in the
Garden
Gardening activity has reached

a low ebp now that temperatures
frequently 60 below freezing.
Mulching has been taken care Of.
the long canes of climbing vines
securely anchored, tender and
newly planted plants protected
from winter winds and sun. Most
of the garden tools have been
cleaned. sharpened and coated
with oil or kerosene to protect
them from rust. Still there is the
matter of scattering q few seeds
of hardy ANIMALS where they are
to bloom next spring. II you have
q few bulbs of the Dutch Iris they
may be planted in the vegetable
garden for next springs cut flow-
ers.
The gladiolus corms should be
dry enough for cleaning and stor-
ing. The cormels may be saved
and planted whenever the soil Is
thawed and dry enough. Il
planted 2 inches deep and covered
with good thick mulch they will
winter over in the ground without
difficulty and make an early start
next spring-and. provide bloom
the first season.
Dust the corms when cleaned
with DDT as q means of controlling
the gladiolus thrip. Two years OF
treatment have effectively stopped
this pest in my garden. Store the
corms in a cool dry place.
1t is not too early to check the
dahlia tubers and the cannas
roots to see that they are not be-
coming too dry. II they feel dry
to the touch the covering material
(sand. peatmoss or vermiculite)
may be slightly moistened. FIRE.
quent attention throughout the
winter is necessary to carry them
through the winter in good condi-
tion.
If you have not already potted
a few paper white narcissus bulbs
for indoor winter bloom 1t will pay
to do so. French-grown paper
whites are again on the market.
Also, it is now possible to buy the
prepared lily-of-the-valley "pips"
for forcing-they are the most
satisfactory of flowers for forcing.
1t takes about 3 weeks from the
time of putting the pips in bowl
or other container until they are
in bloom. The pips need only to
be supported with peatmoss, sand,
or vermiculite and submerged up
to within a half inch of the grow
ing point. Water should be added
as needed to compensate for evap-
Grafton. The finished bowl or con-
tainer may be placed in an out-of
the-way place until growth starts,
then it should be placed in a warm
sunny window until the flowers
open.
Snow and freezing temperatures
turned the thoughts Of bird lovers
to feeding stations and supplies OF
feed for their feathered friends
There are many types of feeding
stations available on the market
and the choice should be, based
upon size. protection from greedy
squirrels where they are q prob
lem, and their adequacy In rela-
ton to the interest of the gar
dener. Some have glass sides so
that the birds may be seen while
feeding. This is Of no. interest
to the gardener If the station is
to be placed at some distance from
the house. Feeding stations that
are protected from winds by vari-
Gus means are Of greater attrac-
ton to the birds.
There are two major types of
camellias available to Washington
gardeners. The fall bloomers.
Sasanqua, flower in October and
November. They are available in
single, Semidouble and double
forms. The singles are most read.
lily available. While free flower
ing. this type does not seem to
have long lasting blooms,
The other type. the Japonica or
common camellia, flowers after the
first Of the year. In this area.
generally not until March. The
buds Of some varieties do not seem
to Withstand our winters and are
blasted. Others seem to be able to
survive in suitable locations. These
are factors which while recognized
have yet to be fully understood
Camellias have been grown in the
Washington area for a good many
years. but until their cultural re-
quirements are definitely known
we should proceed on an expert
mental basis.
FEED SHAPE Row TREES 1