Evening Star Newspaper, May 18, 1940, Page 26

. GARDEN:'NEWS. " * N Present Supply Soil Abundantly Supplied With Humus Will Retain All Necessary Moisture Try to Keep Foliage Growing As Long as Possible to Aid Development of Blooms By W. H. YOUNGMAN. For many years local gardeners have looked forward to tulip-time and to the tulip flower shows as a season of color and beauty. While they bloomed rather late this spring it was a successful tulip year in most gardens. The cool weather which retarded the season of bloom favored growth so that the flowers in many yards were of unusual size, It is to be hoped that the cool, moist growing weather so to the development of tulips if we want large fat bulbs for will continue for a while longer—that is, another season of bloom. Now that the war has engulfed Holland—the major source of tulip bulbs—it is up to the home gardener to conserve and protect his supply of bulbs. Ordinarily we think of tulip bulbs as lasting but two or three seasons before they split up into such small sizes that their flowers. are of little value except for cutting. Our weather is usually so hot that the bulbs of most Tulip bulbs, varieties do not make adequate size, except the very smallest splits, usually produce a flower, the size and height of the flower being more or less directly related to the size of the bulb. having small flowers. the bulbs to “split” wanted. There are only a few things that can be done to promote growth of tulip bulbs. First, protect the foliage which is essential to plant growth and keep the plants grow- ing as long as possible. Second, provide adequate moisture as tulips need more than most flowers. If the soll is abundantly supplied with humus to hold the moisture the spring rains ordinarily provide suf- ficlent water for good growth. Re- move spent flower heads to prevent the formation of seed pods. Dig- ging and storing the bulbs after the foliage has matured may or may not be a help. If the soil is inclined to be wet, digging will re- duce losses from rot. But when the soil is not wet, digging may cause loss, particularly if the bulbs are not carefully stored in a cool, dry place. Information Is Uncertain. Information as to the care and culture of the tulip is very con- flicting and uncertain. Tulips grow under a wide range of soil condi- tions. The best or optimum con- ditions are unknown. An article in the National Horticultural Mag- azine, stated that numerous tests showed very little fertility in the soils of the Holland bulb farms, but that the soils were well supplied with humus and were sweet (not acid). If we were to follow these find- ings we would add compost, peat- moss, or leafmold to our soils and quantities of lime. However, that would only insure good soil con- ditions, for the cool weather of Holland can hardly be duplicated in this area. Deep planting of tulip bulbs seems to check splitting and thus produces larger sized bulbs. This suggests that many of us should dig our bulbs this spring 80 that we may rework our beds, in ting generous quantities of humus and lime. Bone meal is the only fertilizer recommended if we are to follow the above theory. Replanting following the prepara- tion of the beds depends upon. in- dividual conditions. The smaller bulbs should be planted in the garden where they may grow and increase in size. Most of them will bloom, and the small flowers they ‘will give the first year are excellent for table decoration. If the planting scheme for the garden does not permit leaving the tulips in the border until the foliage dies down, they may be lifted and moved to another place where they may continue growth until maturity. If the moving is done with care and as much soil taken as possible this operation should not materially check their growth. Difficulties Ahead. Ordinarily mention would have been made of the newer varieties noted in the recent tulip shows. ‘With the probability of all tulip im= ports being cut off and local garden- ers having to depend upon do- mestic bulbs, there is little point in such comments. We shall no doubt be glad to get tulips of any variety if we are to keep our bulb beds up to_their usual standard. However, under the changed or- der it may be desirable to turn our attention to some of the more permanent forms of tulips, such as the lady tulip (Tulipa clusiana), a dainty flower of medium height with the outer petals cherry-rose and the inner petals white. Tulip sylvestris (Florentina odorata), sometimes called the wild English tulip, is a somewhat taller growing flower with rich yellow flowers that are very attractive. They last well in the garden and, like the lady tulip, may be naturalized in a sunny border. They are a little too strong growing for the smaller rock gar- dens but are very useful for the On the Calendar May 18-19—Takoma Park, Md.: Garden of J. M. R. Adams to be opened to public at 308 Spence avenue, to display primroses and French lilies. . May 20-21—Washington, D. C.: Iris show by the Woodridge Gar- den Club, under the auspices of the American Iris Society, Sher- wood Presbyterian Church. May 22—Chevy Chase, D. C.: Annual flower show of the Chevy Chase, D. C,, Garden Club, All Saints’ Church. May 24—Chevy Chase, Md.: Garden Club tour. May 25—Takoma Park, Md.: Annual exchange sale by Takoma Horticultural Club at home of Mrs. H. E. Ewing, 228 Willow avenue, May 25-26—Washington, D. C.: Iris show of Takoma Horticul- tural Club, under the auspices of the American Iris Society, Ta- koma School auditorium. May 28—Gaithersburg, Md.: Second annual garden show by the Gaithersburg Neighborhood Gar- den Club, Masonic Hall. June 5—Leesburg, Va.: Fif- teenth annual flower show of Leesburg Garden Club, st Bel- mont. June 5—Bethesda, Md.: Annual Flower Show of Bethesda Com- munity Garden Club, ‘Battery Park Clubhouse. August 10-11 — Hagerstown, Md.: Maryland State Gladiolus Exposition, Hagertsown Armory. X | If we plant small bulbs we can depend upon Feeding the bulbs does not seem to increase the size of bulb or of the flower. Usually fertilizers high in nitrogen. cause or divide and thus gives us several small bulbs instead of the one large fat bulb<— larger ones. Tulipa kaufmanniana, the water lily tullp, is a low-growing species that blooms very early in the spring and is useful in the smaller rock garden. Its flowers, on very short stems, are larger than those of the above-mentioned spe- cies and are used only for garden display. There are several varieties of the water lily tulip, and the col- ors are varied, though red and yel- low predominate, Even though it is not practicable for us to buy the fine, large Holland bulbs, we can take care of those we have now and perhaps use some of the more dependable species, such as those mentioned above, and continue to enjoy our tulips in spite of the war, Lilies Are Glory of Garden Hold the First Place From Sentimental Standpoint By EDWIN C. POWELL. The lily holds first place from a sentimental standpoint, although the rose is the most popular flower. There are a half dozen varieties flowering in May and June that suc- ceed well in this locality. They are so beautiful that there should be a few in every garden. None surpasses the Madonna (Candidum) lily for purity of color, fragrance and lovliness. It is known as the Annunciation lily and is prob- ably the oldest variety in cultiva- tion and the one depicted in the earliest illustrations. Well-grown specimens produce stems about 4 feet in height that bear 15 to 20 fragrant pure white funnel-shaped flowers with yellow pollen. This lily is found in many old gardens every- where and succeeds under a wide range of soil and conditions. It has certain pecularities not possessed by other lilies. It must be planted shallow—not over 2 inches deep— and in late August or early Septem- ber so that it can produce its whorl of basal leaves that remain green over winter. It should be neither muiched nor covered and planted in full sun. In connection with blue delphiniums it is most charming. The Tenuifolium which botanists have renamed Pumilum, known commonly as the Coral lily, is one of the deintiest and most brilliantly colored. It seldom grows more than 24 inches tall and is useful in the rock garden. It has narrow leaves, slender stems, and produces from a few to 20 coral-red flowers with recurving petals. The bulbs are small and should be planted about 4 inches deep. * A closely related variety is Golden Gleam which, through many years of selection, has resulted in a more robust form. It grows a few inches taller and bears flowers of a de- lightful golden-apricot shade, but otherwise resembles Tenuifolium which is one of its parents. The Canada or meadow lily (Canadense) is a native growing wild in meadows and marshy places as far South as Georgia. It is a good garden subject but is not ap- preciated as much here as it is in England, because it is so,common. It may grow as tall as 6 feet and bear 20 flowers, but half the height and a half dozen flowers are com- monly attained in the wild. The flowers, which range in color from yellow to red, are generally heavily spotted with small brown spots. This is & base-rooting lily and should be planted about 6 inches deep. Hanson's lily (Hansonl) is very distinctive in that it produces flow- ers with very thick, stiff, waxy orange-yellow petals with small brown spots near the base. The petals are somewhat recurved. The strong, sturdy plant grows 4 to 5§ feet tall and bears its leaves in numerous whorls. It is one of the first to push up its stems in the spring and is sometimes caught by a late frost unless covered at night when a frost is threatened. Plant 6 inches deep and in partial shade to bring out its best color. The Dauricum-Elegans-Umbella- tum lilies comprise a group that is easily grown, not outstandingly handsome but useful for their early flowering and reliability. The flow- ers are erect, open vase shaped and of many shades from light yellow to deepest red. From one to a half| dozen flowers are borne on stems 1 to 214 feet tall. Dauricum makes small white fragile bulbs that usually wander about before emerging. Elegans is & hybrid that produces somewhat larger flowers. There are many named varieties. It is easily raised from seed. The Umbellatum of gardens is a hybrid of larger form and more vigorous than the two preceding. There are many named varieties that in general resemble Elegans, which is one of its parents. Elegans and Umbellatum produce large bulbs that should be planted 8 inches deep. They- are stem- rooting and produce many small bulbs along the stem at or below the ground surface. Thess should THE "EVENING ‘STAR,” WASHINGTON, D. C, SATURDAY, MAY' 18,1940~ Tulips are among the most colorful of early blooms. They are inexpensive and easily grown, but with the war affecting the importation of bulbs, we must conserve those we have with greater care than ever. Protect foliage, keep beds well watered and defer digging or lifting until foliage has fully matured. ' The Garden Notebook Spray Aphids When Clustered ‘On Tips of Shrubs or Roses Aphids are beginning to make their appearance. Nicotine-sul- phate or rotenone are effective sprays for control. Rotenone dust may be used in place of a spray. ‘These tiny insects suck the sap from the tender new shoots. To be killed they must be covered with spray of dust. Do not spray until they can be seen clustered on the tips of shrubs and roses. 'Then apply the Ppoison. Now that the danger of frost is past it is well to start transplant- ing from the cold frame or to set out newly purchased plants. Two factors are important to successful transplanting—firm the soil .care- fully about the roots and water well. Except with extreme care most of the tiny root hairs are de- stroyed in transplanting young plants. To offset this loss it is well to reduce the leaf surface by pinch- ing off part of the leaves or by cut- ting back the tops. By watering well at the time of. planting and shading from the sun and wind for a day or two until new root hairs have had time to grow a greater measure of success is assured. Plant disease spores become ac- tive when temperatures rise above 60 or 65 degrees. As the spores are blown about, it is important that plant foliage be covered with some fungicide as a protective coating. Spray applied after the diseases have entered the leaf tissue is in- effective. PR, . In the spring, when showers are frequent and when the leaves are making rapid growth, it is neces- sary to spray at shorter intervals than in midsummer, when showers are infrequent and when plant growth is slower. A good program provides for sprays at weekly in- tervals in the spring and at 10-day to two-week intervals in midsum- mer, To control disease and to de- stroy overwintering thrips on gladi- olus bulbs soak them in.one of the commercial mercurial compounds. Follow manufacturer’s directions after making certain that he rec- ommends his product for such use. The mountain bluet (Centaurea montana) or perennial cornflower is a worth-while perennial that grows well in full sun or light shade. It closely resembles the common corn- flower, often called bachelor’s but- ton, although the flowers are single. It is long lasting as a cut flower and is of easy culture. It grows 12 to 15 inches tall. For the sunny border the cat+ tail gayfeather (Liatris pycnost- achya) adds color and height with its tall, rosy purple spikes of bloom. While it is useful as a cut flower, it is most frequently used for its garden value. The 4 to 5 foot spikes covered with an infinite number of tiny flowers give height to the bor- der as few other plants do. It flowers in July and August. There is a white form, also two lower growing species (L. spicata and L. scariosa), with violet-purple flowers. In resetting chrysanthemums it is well to use the shoots from the outside of the clumps, as they are less apt to carry disease. At this season of the year it is a common experience to see ants on peony buds. They are after the sweet, sticky bud coating and do not injure the buds. They may, however, in going from bud to bud, spread bud rot, a serious peony disease. The best control for this disease is to remove and burn all infected buds and leaves and to spray with bordeaux at weekly in- ;:rvm from early spring until mid- ay. Recipe forbMaking Pot Pourri Will Prove Helpful Take 2 quarts of rose petals and buds; of course, the sweet smelling varieties only should be used. Put them on sheets of paper in an airy room to dry, which should take about 24 hours. Sprink]e with a thin layer of table salt (some people prefer to add a little benzoic acid to the salt). Add sweet geranium or lemon ver- bena leaves, a few bay leaves, laven- der, heliotrope, mignonette, jas- mine, garden pinks, carnations, parma violets, orange or lemon blossoms, any sweet-smelling flow=- ers you have and any sweet-smell- ing herb, such as rosemary, basil, marjoram, anise, etc. A bit of cedar leaf and some balsam needles can be added, but always keep in mind that roses must predominate. The leaves should be dried before mix- ing with the rose petals. As you add the otner flowers to the rose petals add more salt. When all the flowers are thoroughly dry add a spice mixture made of one- quarter ounce each of powdered cloves, mace, cinnamon and all- spice, one-eighth' ounce each of crushed coriander, cardamon seeds, powdered gum storax and powdered gum benzoin and 1 ounce of violet sachet powder. Mix the flowers thoroughly with the spice mixture, then dampen with a bit of brandy. A drop or so of attar of rose will enhance the fragrance. Leave the pot pourri in a tightly covered crock- ery jar for some weeks, stirring oc- . When ready for use put in bowls to give a delicious scent to the rooms. If powdered storax and benzoin are not easily procurable use a small amount of gum storax and tincture of benzoin and rub. in the various spices until dry. (Prom “The Garden Dictionary.”) be removed in the fall by carefully digging around the stem, lined out in a row, and a nice stock will be ‘grown in two or three years. If allowed to remain they soon pro- duce a clump of bulbs that will de- generate because there is not room for them to develop properly. All should Add a Few Tropicals To Pool Your 1ily pool may have its quota of hardy water lilies yet it can be tremendously improved by the ad- dition of a tropical sort. Tropicals, you must remember, are not winter hardy and are best treated as an- nuals. In addition, they are some- what higher in price than hardies. Yet they are worth it. The only blues are found in the tropicals. ‘Tropicals are gross feeders. Allow & large box for them. Boxes con- taining 10 to 12 cubic feet are none too large for one tropical. Tender tropical water lilies are shipped from the nurseries with a ball of soll attached. This ball of soil should be planted in the box of well fertilized soll so that the leaf crown is just at, or slightly above, the soil level. Firm the ball of soil into the surroundings to prevent washouts, Do not plant tropical water lilies in cold water. If the water has not stood for several days, use just enough cool water to cover the new- ly set plant. In this way it benefits from the sun heating the water sur- face. There is little likelihood of having this trouble if the plants are sent from the nurseries since they invariably delay shipping until water has warmed sufficlently for the variety purchased. Among the fine sorts are’ Blue Beauty, one of the oldest and most nearly foolproof of the blues. Mrs, Edward Whitaker is a light blue. Marmorata is the present choice blue. Other colors are also avail- able. Gen. Pershing is & fine pink, and St. Louis an excellent strong yellow. Your budget may also sup- port a night bloomer for which I would suggest the beautiful pink flowering Emily Grant Hutchings. Better Strawberries Cultivate the ground in which strawberry plants are grown after every.rain in order to conserve the supply of molsture, /4 —Star Staff Photo. Bush Clover Useful in Borders Good for Planting In Foreground Of Shrubbery The bush clover, also known as Desmodium pendulifiorum, is a very useful subject for planting in the foreground of the shrub border, where its low-spreading growth helps to tie the taller shrubs to the grassy outline of the lawn. But it is just as useful in the perennial bed, where its graceful flowers, coming from late August through September, provide a touch of color at a time when few perennials are in bloom. “While this bush clover in warm climate grows into a medium sized shrub, it is here treated as a peren- nial—that is to say, if cold weather does not kill it to the ground during winter, it is cut back to the base in the spring. This treatment results in & number of strong shoots as high as 5 feet which bend gracefully to form a loosely built, dome-shaped plant. The stems are hairy at first, but become smooth later in the season; when about three feet tall they be- gin branching, and these little side branches carry the flowers. The three leaflets that make up the leaf are small and narrow; like the stems they are hairy while young, becom- ing smooth with age. The pea- shaped rose purple flowers grow in small drooping clusters from the leaf axils of the side branches; individu- ally they are rather insignificant, but in mass (and they come in masses) they are showy enough, es- pecially where close observation is possible. = When grown in the shrubbery all shoots arising from the base may be left to grow, and the full-grown plant will then cover an area five to eight feet in diameter; but in the perennial border the available space must be the limiting factor. There the bush clover should not be al- lowed to spread at will unless it can do so without interfering with other plants. _Instead the shoots should be thinned out by removing at the base all those not needed, the re- maining ones should be staked and tled, preferably individually. By so doing the plant may be given any outline desirable and made to cover any space, no matter how irregular. The bush clover is of easy culti- vation and grows well in the deeply cultivated soil. As a member of the pea family it may benefit by an occasional application of lime if the natural soil is acid, but it is usually unnecessary to take any special pre- caution to insure success with this useful and beautiful plant. Boundary Treatment Is Interesting to Every Gardener The first requirement for making & plot of ground into a garden is the boundary treatment. in clumps of four or more of they are as naturslistic thicket. 4 Flower Shows GARDEN NEWS. Occupying Attention of Number of Clubs in This Vicinity Rose Festival and Plant Sale Also Included in Activities On Crowded Schedules By BETSY CASWELL. Beautiful and historic Belmont, the estate owned by the Hon. Pat- rick J. Hurley and Mrs. Hurley at Leesburg, Va. will be the scene on June 5, from 2:30 to 5§ pm., of the 15th annual flower show sponsored by the Garden Club of Leesburg, for the benefit of the vegetable garden and grounds of the Loudoun Coun the club has provided the hospital for its lawns and Miss Florence Manning is chair- man of the show, assisted by the fol- Mrs. William P. Rust, selecting Judges. . Mrs. “Robert H. Fletcher, jr., judges’ luncheon. Miss Christine Wildman, exhib- ftors’ luncheon, to be held at the home of Mrs. Robert 8. Pickens. Mrs. David N. Rust, prizes. Mrs. Talbot Pierce and Miss Elea- nor Chamberlain, specimen exhibits. Mrs. T. M. Fendall, staging east wing. Miss Mary Metzgar, staging west wing. u Mrs. Grace Brooks Popkins, pub- city. Mrs. Edwin G. Rust, entries. Mrs. Peyton Craighill and Mrs. W. O. Bailey, refreshments, Officers of the Leesburg Garden Club are Miss Mary Metzgar, presi- dent; Mrs. T. M. Fendall, first vice president; Mrs. E. B. White, second vice president; Mrs. Frank Saunders, recording secretary; Miss Christine ‘Wildman, corresponding secretary, and Mrs. Francis Patton, treasurer. Flower arrangements in the show will be done with a careful consid- eration of the gracious rooms in Belmont in which they will be ex- hibited, and every attempt will be made to render them entirely ap- propriate as well as beautiful. ‘The Maryland Gladiolus Society and the Blue Ridge Gladiolus Society will co-operate in holding the Maryland State Gladiolus Exposi- tion at Hagerstown, Md., on August 10-11, 1940. Plans are being made | to make this the greatest gladiolus show ever held in this territory, and, as there are at least 10 gladiolus societies located within 250 miles of Hagerstown, the attendance should be very large. The show will be held in the Hagerstown Armory, wheré special | provisions are being made for displays by commercial growers. Classes will be provided for all types of exhibitors, including novices, ad- vanced amateurs and even children. The seedling division will stress many new varieties undergoing tests in the Maryland Gladiolus Society trial garden. In addition to the usual ribbons, prizes, special trophies and medals will be pre- sented to winners in the various classes. Further information about the show may be obtdffied from Wil- lYam G. Herridge, Routé No. 3, Hagerstown, or H. V. Wright, Edge- wood Arsenal, Edgewood, Md. An unusual rose festival is being planned by the Trowel Club in be- half of the American Horticultural Society on Saturday, June 1, from 3 to 9 pm. Other garden clubs, affil- iated with the national society will assist in the festival, which is to| be held in thé grounds of Mrs. Bene- | dicta Regenstein’s residence at 3850 Tunlaw road, Chief among the dis- plays will be the superb rose gar- dens, and the grounds will be illumi- nated after dusk. ‘The Trowel Club will offer many other interesting displays, including exhibits of flower arrangements, specimen blooms, gardening man- uals and tools. There will be re- freshment booths for visitors at the festival, which may be reached by following New Mexico avenue, which becomes Tunlaw road at Gar- fleld street, west of Mount Alto Hospital. The grounds may also be approached by turning from Wisconsin avenue gt Cal street. On June 5 the Bethesda Com- munity Garden Club will hold its annual flower show in Battery Park Clubhouse, from 3 to 5 in the after- noon, and from 7 to 9 in the evening. Members of the community are cordially inviled to attend. An iris show will be held by the Takoma Horticultural Club under the auspices of the American Iris Society at the Takoma School Audi- torium, Dahlia street and Piney Branch road. The show will be open to the public without charge, from 1 pm., May 25, through May 26, until 10 pm. Siiver and bronze medals will be given the winners of the most points and any one, whether a member of a garden club or not, may enter an exhibit. Flow- ers other than iris will also be on display. Miss Margaret Lancaster is chair- man of the show, and other mem- bers of the committee include Josiah Bridge, C. G. Carr, Miss Maud Gunther,, Mrs. Arthur P. Harrison, Miss G. Hendricks, Mrs. Lewis A. All Saints Church, at Chevy Chase njoy Your Garden “At Night” Arfistic Lighting in your garden gives you an extra outdoor evening pleasure. ~Estimates Choorfully Given.” Landscape & Garden Lighting Co. Met. 5180 ty Hospital. For the past 23 years with its vegetable garden and cared e Circle, has been chosen for the an- nual Flower Show of the Chevy Chase, D. C., Garden Club on Wed- nesday, May 22, from 8 to 9 pm. The competition, which is open to all amateur gardeners, will include a number of interesting groups, among them roses, peonies, lilies, hemero- callis, iris, herbaceous plants, flower- ing shrubs, flower arrangements, etc. Among the awards will be one fof the best rose in tne show. Judges will be Mrs. Louis 8. Scott, Mrs. Parker Dodge, Howard R. Watkins, and E. C. Powell. Mem- bers of the Exhibition Commit- tee, of which Mrs. E. N. Bunting is chairman, will include Miss Mary Ann Davis, Mrs. Walter Davidson, Mrs. Lew S. Mohler, Mrs. Edward I. Mullins, Mrs. Lewis S. Pendleton, Mrs. Jay E. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Alton P. :‘isdel. and Mrs. Laurence E. Voor- ees. The Woodridge Garden Club plans to hold its iris show, which will be under the auspices of the American Iris Society, on May 20 and 21, in the Sherwood Presbyterian Church. This show is open to all, and the regular medals, etc., of the society will be awarded as prizes for winning entries. With the president, Mrs. Lewis Reed, in the chair, the Gaithersburg Neighborhood Garden Club held its | May meeting on Wednesday at the home of Mrs. William D. Wiley. Mrs. Thomas W. Troxell and Mrs. John Stover acted as assistant hostesses. Mrs. Raleigh Chinn of the Rock- ville Garden Club gave a most in- teresting illustrated lecture on her recent trip to New Orleans by motor. Quotations and helpful garden sug- gestions were given in answer to the roll call, and plans for the second annual garden show, to be held in the Masonic Hall in Gaithersburg on May 28, were discussed and com- mittees formed. Mrs. Edwin Fry reported on the work of the Junior Garden Club and Mrs. Charles Be- craft was announced as the next club hostess, assisted by Mrs. Henry | Becraft and Miss Mabel Becraft. ;»Rooting Cuttings Is Inexpensive Way To-Gain Stock No gardening ‘activity is more fascinating than rooting cuttings. The practice is also the least ex- pensive way to work up a large stock of plants, from a single plant. Soft wood cuttings are the type used at this season and arabis, chrysanthemum, clematis, dahlia, helenium, heuchera, iberis, larkspur, phlox and the garden car- nation are all suitable materials. The process is simple. Obtain an eight-inch bulb pan and a three- inch flower pot. Scatter broken crockery or large gravel over the bottom of the bulb pan, then fill it within half an inch of the top with clean sharp sand. Make an exca- vation for the three-inch pot, plug its drainage hole with a stopper, then plunge it nearly to the rim in the excavation. Moisten the sand, firm it and fill the smaller pot with water. Gradual seepage from the smaller pot keeps the sand constantly moist yet never soggy. Stand the arrangement in a sunny window. Covering with an inverted glass jar helps conserve moisture but is not absolutely necessary. Five or six-inch slips taken from plants as they emerge from the ground furnish the cuttings. Make clean cuts slightly below a bud and remove half the foliage. Poke holes in the sand, around the edge of the larger pot, then insert the cut- an inch below the sand level, firm the sand and wait several weeks for root formation. Then the cuttings can be planted outdoors to make blooming plants before fall. One word of caution: Keep the smaller pot filled with clean water at all times to insure the needed molsture. Care of Bulbs Narcissus bulbs which have been forced indoors this year should be to dry out and doors in the location in which you wish to have them bloom next year. If this is done they will blossom very satisfactorily next year. They will not, however, be practical bulbs to try to force for two years. Fertilizing Hint CYCLONE FENCE COMPANY Room 609 Insurance Bldg. Phone District 0468 CYCLONE FENCE tings so the nodes are at least half\ of Tulip Bulbs Should Be Conserved and Protected Annuals for Edgings Listed May Be Varied to Suit Conditions And Situations By THE MASTER GARDENER. Edgings are an indispensable part of our gardens. The annual types are desirable because they may be varied from year to year, and be- cause their use simplifies cultiva- tion from year to year; and above all, the annuai edgings are inex- pensive. If you wish a very dwarf edging, then select your seed carefully, as to variety; and for season-long bloom and healthy luxuriant growth, incorporate plant food into the soil when preparing the seed bed, applying one rounded table- spoonful to a square foot of border. Be sure to use a complete bal- anced plant food—one that con- tains, in the right proportion, all of the elements needed by the plants for best growth and bloom. Work the plant food lightly into the top soil after the bed is ready for plant- ing of seed, or when young plants are set out if plants are trans- planted to the border. When buds appear, apply half this amount of plant food, making application on either side of the row beginning about 2 inches from the plants. Work the plant food into the soil. Continue light feedings at inter- vals throughout the growing sea- son. Here are some suggestions for an- nual edgings for various uses and in various situations: For fragrant dwarf borders: Sweet Alyssum, Petunia, Mignonette, Ver- 8, For dwarf borders in moist soll and semi-shade: Lobelia, Myosotis, Pansy. For dwarf borders in semi-shady location with average conditions: Sweet Alyssum, Feverfew. For dwarf borders in dry soils: Portulaca, Petunia. Nasturtium, Dwarf Phlox. Pinks, California Poppy, Dimorphotheca. One of the best yellow edgings: Midget Marigold (Tagetes signata pumila). Other good yellow bor- ders: California Poppy, Portulaca. One of the best white edgings: White Sweet Alyssum. Other good white borders: Candytuft, Petunia, Ageratum, Lobelia, Portulaca, Ver- bena. One of the best of the grayleaf edg- ings: Dusty Miller (Centaurea can- didissima). Two of the best blue edgings: Edg- ing Lozelia, Ageratum. Other good blue borders: Verbena. Cupflower (Nierembergia hippomanica) is an annual which has gained much prominence since 1937, very fine for dwarf edgings, since it grows only 4 to 6 height, and produces a pro- fusion of cup-shaped lavender-blue blossoms. It spreads out to & foot in width. For an orange border: California PO'EPY. 5 or = lavender border: Drum- mond Phlox, Pansy. For a purple border: Verbena. For a pink border: Drummond Phlox, Pinks, Verbena. For a salmon border: Drummond Phlox. For a scarlet border: Dwarf Nas- | turtium, Drummond Phiox. Flower heads go to seed quickly, so keep cut if you want annual bor- ders to be trim and neat. And don't forget to feed with a complete balanced plant food! Forcing Cyclamen Cyclamens are forced the second year by allowing the plant to com- plete its natural period of growth after blooming; then when the leaves begin to turn yellow and drop off, withholding water and drying the bulbs out. This cures the bulb so that it has a rest period. Some time in the middle of the summer the bulb is again potted in & good fertile soil and encouraged to grow. It usually produces a very fine crop of flowers. Pumpi(in Bush One of the new things in the vegetable garden is a bush pump- kin. Pie pumpkins of good size are borne on compact bushes about the size of an Italian marrow plant, requiring about 4 square feet of space in the garden. This will en- able jack o’ lanterns to be grown in small gardens. LANDSCAPE CURBING o For Some Years SMALL'S have followed the activities of the various garden chubs and || have sesn their efforts result n better gardens and more attrae- tive communities. We have and will continue to supplement their work by allowing 10% discount to all members on plant and garden supplies purchases whers there is no labor charge. 4 Nurseries OPEN ALL DAY SUNDAY City Office and Garden Supply Dept.—Dupont Circle