Show rI- rI 7 THE THI YARD BACK-YARD PROBLEM First the Soil Must Receive Attention Attention Atten Atten- It tion Then Cover Unsightly Fence k If with Lovel Lovely Vines The rhe The first gardening problem to tackle In an ordinary back yard is the soil soU and It is generally tue tae last to receive honest attention and a square deal It is probably full of brickbats and other builders builder's rubbish and almost devoid of available able plant food The first year or two a part of the garden allowance should surely be put into compost which should be thoroughly thoroughly thor thor- thoroughly mixed with the soil when It Itis itis itis is spaded Dont Don't give up the most stubborn sour looking soil If It it will grow a pig weed the chances are th that t tIt it will grow something more desir- desir desir able The finer the soil is made the better Wood ashes lime and pd manure will all help the soil in texture aB aswell well as in the line of plant food Next the fence and ugly outbuildings outbuildings outbuildings ings must be hidden Vines will do this The rear elevation of the house deserves the same careful treatment Oi OL the permanent vines Boston Ivy is best for stone and brick Virginia creeper for wood Wistaria Is excellent excellent excellent excel excel- lent for great cities s but seldom If it ever blooms there Its foliage is worth the cost It needs iron rolls rods for support j Annual vines of many sorts will cover the fences the first year or so and pay their way in cut flowers Nasturtiums scarlet runners wild cucumbers cucumbers cucumbers cu cu- cumbers morning glories are all good and cost little There are more seeds In some packets than you jou can use rise se Divide with your neighbors Halls Hall's honeysuckle can be grown from seed If necessary for economys economy's sake sak but nursery-grown nursery plants give quicker results re- re They eventually climb high on verandas and will make beautiful hedges if they have a framework of f woven wire fencing Their white and straw c colored lored blossoms make fragrant and graceful table decorations WILHELM MILLER |