Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-01

i6OAts IL tAhCo I'LL &C W AUuA AA4bAltAAo
for cuttings to root.
In taking the cuttings 1t Is de-
sirable to pull the small side
shoots. rather than to cut them.
However. opinion varies as TO
Just how important the heel"
is. Cuttings should be from 3 to
8 inches in length.
Treat the tip with q roofing
hormone. shaking OF the excess
powder before placing in the
roofing media. Firm the cuttings
into the media, water well and
allow the excess moisture to drain
away before putting in poly
ethylene bag or other cover
which will prevent loss Of mois-
ture. In good container water
ing should not be necessary for
the entire roofing period.
Plan Precedes Ordering
The new catalogue season Is
with us and we viii be tempted
to buy all Of the well-adyertised
new things offered. However. 1t
lis well to plan the garden and
see what can be used before
making out the order. Plan be-
fore buying is the best rule and
then your selections can be made
for q specific situation.
Amaryilis Bulbs
Starting the aInaryllis bulbs
should not be delayed II these
snowy winter boomers are to put
on their displays at the proper
season. Potted bulbs should be
given one moderate watering and
placed in q warm situation until
the new growth appears. Then
water freely and keep in q
sunny window. The flower stalk
usually appears first. In many
instances the flowers open before
the leaves show. An occasional
feeding is also good for the
growth.
Camellias for Winter Bloom
| Gardeners with a cool sunny
basement will find that the ca
mellia makes an excellent win
ter bloomer. They seem to do
best in q cool room with an east
ern exposure. However. they need
plenty Of humidity for best re-
suits. The ported or tubbed plants
when supplied these conditions
are most rewarding.
Not Too Large q Garden
The small well-tended garden
seems to be the most rewarding
inasmuch as it does not overtax
the owner and SO he has time to
enjoy the results Of his labors.
A garden that is too large Is like
Ily to be less successful because 1t
overworks the owner. Lacking
proper care 1t Is likely to be dis
Icouraging rather than stimulat-
ling.
BE Sure Of Your Supply
1t is not too early to send in
the seed. bulb. plant and shrub
orders. especially II some of the
newer things are wanted. They
are not likely to be in abundant
supply and unless ordered early
may not be obtainable. The seeds
and bulbs can be received at any
time. The plant and shrubs
should be ordered for delivery
about March goth.
Tomato Seed Curtailed
/ The supply Of tomato seed is
reported to be much smaller than
normal due to the effects of
Connie and Dianne last August.
Look TO New Plants
| In selecting seeds and plants
flor the garden it Is always desir-
liable to try something new. es-
..Ipecialiy II It can be compared
with one Of the old standbys.
Keeping Those Yule Plants
The Christmas plants-Poin-
settia, cyclamen, eloxinia, Je-
. Irusalem cherry, Christmas cac-
ltus. gardenia, etc. need q
; moderately warm situation. IS
Ito rs degrees.
Because of the dry atmosphere
lin most homes they need to be
kept well watered, and for best
results the pots should rest on
a gravel tray or have some
other means Of maintaining hui
, Imidity about the plants.
. The poinsettia does not seem
TO Withstand draughts and viii
soon lose the lower leaves.
: Most Of the plants prefer q
sunny situation. With the ex-
ception of the gloxinia and the
Christmas cactus they might well
; be discarded once they are
, through blooming.
/. The gloxinia and the Christ
mas cactus should be given 6
: rest period following the fiow-
Iering season. by withhold water
: The gloxinia will 60 dormant
E and the top dry. The cactu,
) will rest until spring whef
A light watering win start II Into
Q new growth.
During the summer Il may b