“Its hidden silk has spun.” These few words, taken from Helen Hunt Jackson’s poem “September,” artfully introduce the lovely Asclepias syriaca or milkweed. Visualizing Asclepias syriaca, you probably think of it as another weed; tall, awkward, and just a nuisance. But there is some good in almost everything if you seek it, and so it … Read more
The white baneberry, Actaea alba (pachypoda), grows wild in moist, rich woods from Canada to Georgia and west as far as Oklahoma. The plant is also known as snakeberry, necklace berry, doll eyes, and white cohosh. The fuzzy, white flowers appear in May and June. They are not particularly showy, but the central masses of … Read more
In all regions of this country except the colder portions of the northern states, it is not only feasible but more advantageous to plant small and tree fruits, except peaches, in fall rather than spring. Weather is more dependable in fall, and heavy soils, especially, are in better condition. Even if wet and packed too … Read more
What looked like a wild, cream-colored water lily in abundant bloom was seen last fall in the backwaters of certain slow-flowing Kansas streams. It was striking in appearance and worth going miles to see. Nelumbo Luteum You could gather an armful of the big flowers without getting your feet wet, and they made a showy … Read more
An old and often repeated saying is that lilacs should be chosen in the spring but planted in the fall. Like most sayings of this kind, it is sound but needs qualification. Lilacs, like any other plant, behave differently in different environments. Some are dependable bloomers, others are rapid growers, and many are slowly blooming … Read more
Cemmenting on the claim by advocates of organic gardening that commercial fertilizers are harmful to the soil. Donald Conlin of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster, says that, although the use of composts and organic matter is highly recommended for gardens. Commercial Fertilizers Experimental results show that when commercial fertilizers are used with organic matter … Read more
Show dates have to be set well in advance, and, of course, they are always set based on “average” weather conditions in the vicinity. It’s only natural, then, that whenever “Old Man Weather” decides to change his scheme of things, a show suffers rather drastically, especially as regards exhibits from nearby growers. That’s just what … Read more
Fall is a good time to plant fruits. Trees and bushes set out during the autumn months will start growth early the following spring—just as soon as weather conditions are favorable and usually before it is feasible to do any spring planting. Thus, fruits planted in the fall get off to a quicker start and … Read more
All woody plants have a regular sequence of bloom. Whether they are growing in Florida, California, Massachusetts, or Illinois, this sequence is always the same and can be depended upon from year to year. The redbud always blooms with the flowering dogwood, and the pink shell azalea always blooms with the lilacs, regardless of where … Read more
The most promising chestnuts for the United States are the Chinese chestnuts (Castanea mollissima) which are blight-resistant. While their nuts are not quite as large as the European chestnuts shipped here in the fall, their flavor is considered better. Chinese chestnuts make interesting lawn trees. However, if nuts are desired, there should be two or … Read more