Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-05-27

ling Weed-free lawns in the near
future. Strange as 1t may seem
we have sought ways to make
cool weather grasses from the
north thrive in our hot, muggy
summer climate rather than tc
seek hot-weather grasses that
would enjoy our climate. The
Japanese lawn grass tZoysia
ljaponica) = and the fine leayeo
strain of Bermuda are both prom
Using, and when grown with q
new disease resistant strain OF
Kentucky blue grass should pro-
vide year-round green turf.
Natures Way Best.
For years we have labored to
keep our gardens neatly titled, to
prevent the soil from crusting
and to control the weeds. Now
the researchers have shown that
natures way of keeping the soil
covered with a layer Of leaves
weeds or trash is more beneficial
Ito plant growth than all of our
sweat and blisters.
So, instead of struggling under
the hot sun to keep up with the
weeds and to have a neatly pull
verified soil In flower and vege-
table beds. it Is recommended that
we keep the soil covered with a
protective layer-a mulch. The
kind of mulching material seems
Ito make little difference. OF
course. some are more slightly
than others. The tan bark used
to cover the rose beds in the gar
den at the Shoreham is probably
more esthetic than a layer OF
compost or freshly milled saw
dust. They will all do the job
of protecting the soil and the
plants will benefit if sufficient
nitrogen is added to feed the bac.
terra that attack the mulchine
material. {
So much for new cultural prac.
tees. The above are only a few
examples Of the benefits to be de.
rived from trying out new prac.
tees or conjuring up variation!
to meet your particular needs
The growing of newer and better
varieties, provided they arr
adapted to the Washington area
is always worth while. OF course
all will admit that the old stand.
bys are dependable and will pro.
duce showing regardless of what
we may or may not do. However
1t was interesting to note the re.
factions of a number Of folks tx
the bloom displayed from an iri.
planting that had not been lifted
and divided, nor had received
plant food or care of any kline
for several years.
H Good Varieties Best.
1t was simply a demonstration
that good varieties produce a bet.
ter showing even under neglec
than poor varieties given the &C.
cepted cultural practices. This i.
not q recommendation that al
new varieties be obtained ane
tried. But rather, it Is a sugges.
ton that the newer and better
kinds be explored for worthwhile,
new things for your garden. TIL,
local flower shows are an excel.
lent place to observe the newer
things that have been tried out
and rs q matter OF gardening in.
terestdt is well to add one or NOR,
to your garden each season.
Gardening is not a static hobby
It is fast moving and has man,
phases. some that will appeal t,
one more than to others. What
ever your interest, have fun ex
ploring 1t. We would not know
that camellias would grow in thi
area II some camellia lover from
the south had not given them {
careful try. Nor would we know
that lima beans produce q NOR,
oountiful crop if fed a bit O.
boron. had not a student of soil
tried a few trace elements in hi
garden. Those are few result
OF thoughtful gardens skippin,
the theory about the moon, the,
made some careful tests.
A lot more tests need to b.
made. and so the field is wild
open for the experimenter to di,
up the comparisons so that W
may measure our progress.