Show s C and mb b are c and 17 W 1 4 X at I 1 ft f 0 0 4 al ott 4 1 af 4 JF X it k W 4 0 white house orchids this building Is devoted to prize orchids for the president and family TOO MUCH WATER KILLS PLANTS by LIMA R ROSE more plants in the window garden are afe killed every year by oyer over watering than in any other way some persons labor under the delusion that water must be applied dally daily and the consequence is their plants are literally drowned out unless they happen to have the best drainage others go on the little and often plan that is they apply water in sma small 11 quantities whenever they hap pen to think of it the result is the surface of the soil Is kept moist and from this the owner takes it for granted that the soil be neath must be properly damp nine times out of ten examination will show that an inch or two below the surface the soil Is dry of course the roots of the plants cannot do their work under such conditions the plant soon sickens and eventually dies and the owner wonders what caused the trouble now in watering plants several things have to be considered first the nature of the plant some like a good deal of water others only a mod crate erate amount second the soil A close loamy soil dries out slowly therefore it will not r require as frequent or as large aepli aa as a light porous soil from which moisture evaporates rapidly thirds third location and exposure must be taken into consideration plants in the sun or a very warm place will need a good deal more water than those in full or partial shade or a low temperature fourth the size of the pot must be reckoned with the soli soil in a large pot will not dry out for two or three days but the soil in a small pot will become quite dry every day fifth a dormant plant requires but little water it Is not in a condition to make use of much water and an oversupply of it will surely in harm when the plant begins to grow then increase the quantity and proper tion this to the development made all these things must receive due consideration by the amateur who would know how to care for his or her plants intelligently study them experiment with them in this way you soon become familiar with the individuality of each one and you will be able to give to each the care it needs we are often asked tor for some rules for watering plants it is impossible to make any rule that can be followed strictly the only rule I 1 have ever been able to give Is this when the surface of the soil looks dry water use enough to thoroughly saturate all the soil in the pot you can tell about this by the es cape of some at the bottom of the pot then wait until the dry look appears on the surface again and apply water as before but as I 1 have said one will have to t modify this rule to fit the conditions it Is a general rule subject to such change as may appear necessary tc to the intelligent plant grower who does not belie believe e in treating all the plants exactly alike give fertilizers to growing plants only A plant standing still needs none and will be injured by the aepli of the food it Is not in condi tion to make use of WORK ON THE LAWN how are the lawn and home grounds in general 7 are they all that should make summer home life enjoy able and a pleasing sight to the pass erbye if the lawn Is patchy and bare in spots keep on seeding it the whole summer through the seed will final ly catch and fill up the bare places white clover Is a fine lawn plant but many find that it dies out after a few years white clover as all the clovers is a biennial completely dy ing after the second year it if the lawn is kept closely clipped white clover seed should be sown each fall or spring to insure a permanent stand the same result may be secured by not mowing in fn the fall allowing the plants to blossom and seed PLAN FOR BEAUTY plan for beauty then work unceasingly for the plan let your light shine in the back yard that there shall be nothing hid den 0 have grass and shrubbery in the back father lather than rubbish sine S me of the prettiest things in the way of plants vines and shrubs should be in sight of the kitchen win dow pardy hardy azaleas are among our most brilliant hardy shrubs all the herbaceous or shrub are beautiful and hardy let your kitchen window be a pic pie ture frame let the picture frame be green things growing let the green things be something beside burdock jimpson weeds or cockle burs plant to screen the ugly views from the back door vines will do it get a root of the trumpet creeper from th the elwoods woods and plant it in the back yard set a strong stake beside it and keep the vine cut back until the shrub habit Is formed it is beau ticul the trumpet creeper will not spread unless you cut its roots when you do you won t have to import any more e kr 2 M K I 1 4 t A I 1 I 1 li V ISI lit ail all thi f herbaceous and shrub are beautify beautiful and hardy |