Evening star., 1951-06-10

ne recent rains were WelcOmeQ
by gardeners who were beginning
to wonder about keeping lawns,
flowers and vegetables growing
and productive in dry soils. Much
worry about the effects of a pro-
longed drought on growing plants
may be avoided with proper prepa-
ration of soil before planting. A
soil that is deeply prepared
through the addition of liberal
quantities of compost or other
form of humus is retentive of
moisture, hence will keep plants
in good growth except during a
severe prolonged drought. Sec
Iondly. well -mulched soil receives
and stores much more moisture
than does one that is lacking a
covering layer. Moisture pene-
trates a mulched soil, moreover,
such a protected soil remains open
so that the plants obtain needed
air for the roots. And, of course,
a mulched soil does not lose moist
ure so rapidly through evapora-
ton. A well-prepared soil that
has been mulched is the best in
surance against drought.
The vegetable grower has little
to worry about except that sweet
corn must be protected. The
beetles feed upon tassels and silk
and if either are left unprotected
the cobs will be barren of kernels
Spraying or busting the silk tas.
sell with DDT is the easiest rem.
edy. Moreover, by using DDT
control of the corn ear worm j.
likely as we'll as the European corr
borer
The early planting of garder
peas this spring-March-paic
dividends. Gardeners who put seec
in the ground early are now har.
vesting an excellent crop. How
ever, seed that was protected from
rot with one of the seed protect
ants, produced stronger and bet.
ter stands than untreated seed be.
cause the soil remained cold anc
wet for such long time.
Gardeners are often tempted TX
move shrubs at the wrong time
and suffer loss or set the plants
back so severely that it takes sew.
eral years for them to recover. A
simple rule to follow: Never at.
tempt to move a shrub when il
has new soft tender growth. Wait
until the new growth has Stiffenec
and begun to mature. That o1
course, applies to summer moving
and is only intended to avoid the
poorest period. Shrubs move bes
IN a dormant period, such as early
spring or early fall. Some shoulc
be moved only in the spring. II
case of doubt contact an expert
Ienced gardener. During the growth
the shrub should be lifted with :
reasonably large ball of soil SO a!
to disturb the roots as little a!
possible.
/ If a spraying or busting pro
gram has not been started, further
delay is dangerous because tht
hot, muggy weather is conducive
to the spread of the various dis
eases of tomatoes, particularly
late blight. Use one of the com.
binations available that are de.
signed especially for the protec-
tion of tomato plants.
Now that the iris season is pas
we should proceed to move, thin
or replace old varieties with new
ones. Iris transplant best i'm.
mediately after the Towering sea.
son. Dig, divide and remov,
borerS, as we'll as any trace OF rot
Replant in freshly prepared soil
soil that has been enriched
through the addition of compos
and bonemeal. Set the division!
on a slight ridge so that ths
rhizomes will be dry at all times
Remove from Y to "a of thu
I foliage after planting. Press tn,
long feeding roots deeply into tht
soil but only barely cover thu
If1eshy rhizomes. Treat the freshly.
cut surfaces with busting sulphur
Plant few of the better varieties
they will reward you with flnel
blooms.