Evening star., 1951-12-09
This Week in the Garden
arrangement

This Week il
The weatherman relented last
week enough to permit planting
and other garden chores. This
was a big help to many who,
because of cold weather and wet
soil, had much garden work still
to be done.
The purchase Of "tubbed'
Christmas trees can be made to
serve two purposes if the tree is
small enough to be tubbed without
excessive loss of roots. A 3 or 4
foot tree is about as large as can
be safely housed in large wooden
tub. Such trees, if kept moistened
while indoors, can be set in the
ground In a protected situation
after the holidays with reasonable
chance of survival. Such a tree
should be Of value in the land
scape planting, or it can be cut a
year later and do duty again dur
ing the Christmas season.
Tubbed trees do not present the
fire hazard common with cut trees,
also they do not shed their needles.
Leaves lodged in hedges, flower
borders or under the shrubbery are
a bit of an enigma. They are not
slightly. constitute something of a
fire hazard and If allowed to pack
down. may smother grass and de-
sirable Towering plants. Occa-
Sionally, mice nest in piles of
leaves on unfrozen ground and in
foraging for food may eat bulbs
and plants. II the accumulation
Iof leaves remains undisturbed in
the spring it may smother weeds
and grass in the shrub border.
On the other hand. leaves pro-
Itect plant roots, prevent soil
erosion and reduce heaving. To
some slight extent they may crum-
BILE and add to the surface mulch,
although they decay little during
the winter.
The removal of weeds and other
winter homes of insects and dis
eases is good garden sanitation.
1t may be done at any time con-
Ivenient to the gardener. 1t should
be done before the middle of
March.
Potted bulbs that are we'll
rooted may be brought in to
warmth for early bloom. To
determine how well rooted the
bulbs are. examine the drainage
hole in the bottom Of the pot.
Unless the pot is very well
crooked" white feeding roots will
show. If roots are not visible,
the ball may be removed from
the pot-a goodly number of
roots showing on the outside of
the dirt ball is an indication that
the bulbs are ready for forcing.
A temperature of so to so de-
.grees is preferable, as it results
in stockier growth than is obtain
able at higher temperatures. AS
soon as the leaves push through
the soil, place in a cool, sunny
window and supply ample moist
ure.
1t is not too late to plant Dutch
bulbs. seed Of hardy ANIMALS or
deciduous trees and shrubs. But
avoid planting or working a clay
soil that is wet. To determine the
condition of the soil, squeeze
handful as firmly as possible, then
tap the ball of soil with a stick
or trowel. If it crumbles easily,
the soil Is safe to work.
The collection and destruction
of mummied fruits - grapes,
peaches. apples, plums and pears
lis important in the control of in
sects and diseases. Spray the
ground under the apple trees with
Elgetol for the control of apple
blotch, etc.
English ivy and violets are hosts
to the red spider mite, so include
them in the spraying campaign to
control that tiny sucking insect.
Some rose growers apply a dor
man spray to their bushes as soon
as the foliage falls and second
application in the spring. Dormant
dormant strength. sprays COM
monty used for the control of scale
insects and disease spores that
winter-over on the wood may be
applied whenever temperature is