anaheim-gazette 1955-09-22

Daffodils Vary in Form and Flowering Season Daffodils, first major flowers to blossom in the spring, while limited in color range, vary much in form and season of bloom. By using all available types, and selecting early, midseason and late varieties, daffodils can be kept blooming during two spring months. Varieties suitable for garden borders are classified as: Large Trumpets, in which the trumpet is as large as the perianth (surrounding petals). Colors include yellow, white and bicolor, in which the trumpet is yellow and the perianth white, or the reverse. Incomparabilis, with medium length trumpets, of yellow, white, orange, red or flashed pink, combined with perianth of white or yellow. Barrel, with small trumpets or cups, with color range similar to Incomparabilis. Leedsti, having white perianths and white or sulphur medium trumpets. Poets, with white perianths and small red or orange cups. Jonquills which are not suited for a cold climate, except with heavy protection. They bear fragrant flowers in clusters. There are also small flowering varieties suitable for rock gardens, and cluster-flowered varieties called "poetar" which are attractive in flower arrangements. Double-flowered daffodils are more curious than beautiful, but many alike them for flower arrangements. Among all these types there Leedsti daffodils have white petals, and white or pale yellow trumpets. and late kinds and make sure that a few of both are included in your planting. Daffodils can be grown in locations which are shaded after the leaves of trees and shrubs develop, because by that time daffodil blooms have gone. The so-called pink varieties should bloom in light shade, since the flush of pink which is seen fairly in their apricot trumpets fades away in the sunlight. It is important to plant new bulbs early enough so they start growth and form roots before being frozen. Freezing will do damage to bulbs and they Winter Horticulture Yield Harvest Home gardeners overlook the perennials which live for quiring small spaces care, while rewarding er annually with a most popular area rhubarb and perennial. They may all be planted fall, and perennial available only at this you like greens, the favorite garden thrive for years from sowing of its seed. Itivated form of many prefer to spice Twelve asparagus produce enough each spring to serve twice a week for. They should be planted apart if rows 3 feet north side of the garden or elsewhere by they er the harvest, growth makes an hedge which must in the fall. If white stalks die a trench six Jonquils which are not suited for a cold climate, except with heavy protection. They bear fragrant flowers in clusters. There are also small flowering varieties suitable for rock gardens, and cluster-flowered varieties called "poetar" which are attractive in flower arrangements. Double-flowered daffodil are more curious than beautiful, but many like them for flower arrangements. Among all these types there are some varieties which blossom early, and others which are late, though most varieties blossom between the two extremes. To prolong the flowering season it pays to search out these early Seeds of Hardy Flowers Can Be Sown This Fall Many flowers, both annual and perennial, can be grown from seed sown in the fall. The safest way for an amateur to sow either annuals or perennials in the fall, is in a seed box. Not even a cold frame is needed to protect the box over winter though it is a good thing to have. The seed box can be set in a protected corner of the house, covered with leaves, and left until spring. In a flat, the seeds will escape drowning in surface water, washing away in heavy rains, or being uprooted by alternate thawing and freezing. Next to a flat, a raised bed surrounded by a wooden curb is a good place. Fill it with top soil and sow the seeds in rows, properly labeled so you can identify the plants. A flat for fall sowing is prepared just as for spring sowing. Prepare a porous soil, mixing one-third peat moss, one-third sharp sand and one-third sifted top soil. Put half an inch of sphagnum moss on top of the soil, sow the seed in this, and cover with sphagnum lightly. Most of the hardy perennials may be sown in this way, at any time before the freeze-up. Annuals which can be sown now are more limited in number. They must be hardy, and should be varieties which self-sow in your locality and are easy to handle. These are likely to include Cosmos, cynoglossum, centauras, California poppies, snapdragons, calliopsis, the fragrant tobacco, dianthus, candytuft, and petanias. Annual larkspur and Shirley poppies are exceptionally good that a few of both are included in your planting. Daffodils can be grown in locations which are shaded after the leaves of trees and shrubs develop, because by that time daffodil blooms have gone. The so-called pink varieties should bloom in light shade, since the flush of pink which is seen falsely in their apricot trumpets fades away in the sunlight. It is important to plant new bulbs early enough so they start growth and form roots before being frozen. Freezing will destroy dormant bulbs, and they will decay during the winter; but growing bulbs are rarely injured by cold, though they may be destroyed by poor drainage. Primrose seeds should be sown in the fall for best results. Some perennials can be sown only in the fall. Examples are the perennial phlox and dictamnus, or gas plant. These require freezing before germination. Primulas also give best result when sown in the fall. Do not try to keep your seed beds or boxes warm this winter. Let them freeze before you apply a protective mulch, which is intended to keep them frozen. Winter thaws do the damage rather than the cold. If you have a cold frame, fill it with dry leaves with your seed boxes underneath, and put the sash over it. In the spring the mulch can be removed and some time gained by promoting early growth from the warmth of the sun. If your seed boxes have spent the winter outdoors, do not remove the mulch until the deep Most of the hardy perennials may be sown in this way, at any time before the freeze-up. Annuals which can be sown now are more limited in number. They must be hardy, and should be varieties which self-sow in your locality and are easy to handle. These are likely to include Cosmos, cynoglossum, centaurreas, California poppies, snapdragons, calliopsis, the fragrant tobacco, dianthus, candytuft, and petunias. Annual larkspur and Shirley poppies are exceptionally good subjects, but are usually sown direct in the garden, because they are not easily transplanted. LAW IN ACTION WITNESSES Strange; but people in the Middle Ages put little stock in sworn testimony. 1. Trial by battle: Say you appealed to a court against some wrong doer: He could clear himself by beating you in a fight—or even getting his hired fighters to beat you or your men. 2. Trial by ordeal: An accused could clear himself by going unharmed through some ordeal, say, a stroll through hot coals or a dip in a stream while tied up. 3. Trial by Oath: Sometimes he could clear himself by getting several men—oath helpers—to swear that he told the truth. This was about as near as people came to our court system where we try to get the facts under rules of evidence from sworn witnesses. If a witness lies, the court may punish him for perjury. So important are witnesses that the accused is the prosecutionator can get the court to force a person to come to court and testify. If the judge thinks the witness may skip out, he can make him put up surety; or lacking that, he may hold him if jail. The court may bear evidence before the trial if a witness is sick, unable to get to court, or may die. A witness must be able to hear, or to see, or otherwise communicate, and he must be old enough and mentally able to testify. In the public good, as a rule, the law will not let a man or wife testify against each other, nor will it let lawyers, doctors, or ministers tell of secrets properly given to them in confidence. But some witnesses can choose to talk or not: A newspaper reporter need not tell where he got a news story. You may—but you need not—testify if your answers would tend to incriminate or degrade you. NOTE: The State Bar of California offers this column for your information so that you may know more about how to act under our laws. Winter Hardy Vegetables Yield Harvest for Years Green asparagus is richest in vitamins. Home gardeners should not overlook the perennial vegetables which live for years, requiring small space and little care, while rewarding the owner annually with a harvest. Most popular are asparagus, rhubarb and perennial onions. They may all be planted in the fall, and perennial onions are available only at this season. If you like greens, the European favorite, garden sorrel, will thrive for years from a single sowing of its seed. It is a cultivated form of dock, which many prefer to spinach. Twelve asparagus plants will produce enough edible stalks each spring to serve one person twice a week for five weeks. They should be planted 18 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart on the north side of the garden area, or elsewhere by themselves. After the harvest, fern-like top growth makes an attractive hedge, which must be cut down in the fall. If white stalks are wanted, dig a trench six inches deep but the first harvest is delayed a year. Rhubarb plants have decorative value as well as contributing to the ment. Six plants will supply the average family. Plant them where they can be allowed to grow full size during the summer, when they develop attractive flowers. Set the roots five to six inches deep, 4 feet apart, in rich soil. Do not harvest stalks until the second year, then do not fail to harvest them annually. Stalks should be pulled away from the base, not cut or broken off. The harvest is taken when the new growth first develops. The hardiest onion is the Egyptian, also called tree onion, or red perennial. It bears no seed, but a cluster of sets develops at the top of stalks where in other varieties seed would form. From these sets plants grow which never form bulbs but produce green onions year after year with a minimum of care. The tops die down in the fall, but each spring weeks before the ground could be worked a Bulbs Need Little Care If Correctly Planted Grocus, 2 inches deep, Solillas, 3 inches deep, Daffodils, 6 inches deep Tulips, 6 to 10 inches. Spring flowering bulbs are the easiest of garden flowers to grow because nature has so well equipped them to endure the cold of winter, and bloom with the first spring warmth, before insects and weeds have appeared. The bulb you plant contains food enough to develop its flower, provided it is of flowering size. It not only endures winter, but requires a chill to make it flower. Tulips intended for growing in the far south, and in greenhouse, are given this chill in cold storage before planting. Growth must begin in the fall, because when the spring thaw comes they begin to bloom in weeks, some actually in days. Hyacinths 6 inches bulb, and the nature of in heavy soil most of the need not be planted so as in sandy soil. In average soil, plan drops, scillas, chionodoxa three inches of soil above Grape hyacinths should four inches of soil over Most illies should be with 4 to 6 inches of them and hyacinths and need six inches cover. Tulips which are lifted from the grow spring, and replanted fall, may be planted at depth as narcissi. But are not to be lifted, in the ground for several Twelve asparagus plants will produce enough edible stalks each spring to serve one person twice a week for five weeks. They should be planted 18 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart on the north side of the garden area, or elsewhere by themselves. After the harvest, fern-like top growth makes an attractive hedge, which must be cut down in the fall. If white stalks are wanted, dig a trench six inches deep and set the crowns of the plants several inches below the surface. This permits stalks to be cut underground, when only the tips show on the surface. For green asparagus, which contains more vitamins, set the crowns only an inch or two below the surface. When the stalks emerge they turn green and are cut off at the surface. In planting spread the roots out carefully and fill in soil around them so there are no air pockets. Sprouts should not be cut for a year after the plants have been set out. Plants can be grown from seed, but each spring weeks before the ground could be worked a new crop of green onions develops. At this stage they are mild and tender. Later the stalks grow tougher and the flavor stronger. They do best if the clumps are divided every two years. The surplus divisions can be set out in new locations. Garden sorrel is a "cut and come again" plant. When leaves are harvested new growth replaces them, and a row will remain green throughout the summer. Seed stalks should be removed when they develop. Plants should be thinned out to stand four inches apart. Growth must begin in the fall because when the spring thaw comes they begin to bloom in weeks, some actually in days. Snowdrops appear as soon as frost leaves the soil. Scillas and chlonodoxas are a few days later. Crocuses, daffodils and tulips follow in due order, and together they provide the dominant displays of the first three garden months. Many ideas about growing bulbs formerly held, have been discarded as a result of research. One is that bulbs do not need plant food. While the bulb is a storehouse of food for the embryo within, experience has demonstrated that more vigorous growth and larger flowers will be produced if the soil is enriched by commercial plant food when the bulbs are planted. The greatest enemy of bulbs is dampness. To assist drainage it is sometimes the practice to put sand beneath each bulb. This is a useless measure. If you must plant in a spot where water stands long after it has drained from the rest of the garden, elevate a bed as high as necessary to insure drainage, and plant your bulbs there. Depth of planting, in general, varies with the size of the equipped them to endure the cold of winter, and bloom with the first spring warmth, before insects and weeds have appeared. The bulb you plant contains food enough to develop its flower, provided it is of flowering size. It not only endures winter, but requires a chill to make it flower. Tulips intended for growing in the far south, and in greenhouses, are given this chill in cold storage before planting. Growth must begin in the fall because when the spring thaw comes they begin to bloom in weeks, some actually in days. Snowdrops appear as soon as frost leaves the soil. Scillas and chlonodoxas are a few days later. Crocuses, daffodils and tulips follow in due order, and together they provide the dominant displays of the first three garden months. Three Months of Color In Spring Bulb Garden Home Vegetable Harbor Can Last All Winter Harvest in home vegetable gardens need not end with freezing weather. Plants whose edible parts are underground are better off left there, until the ground begins to freeze. Fall leaf crops usually withstand the first killing frosts without serious injury. Both lettuce and endive stand some frost, and may be used as long as they remain in edible condition. Frost improves the flavor of endive. Brussels sprouts can be frozen hard several times without injury, and are often harvested as in sandy soil. In average soil, plant drops, scillas, chlorodoxa three inches of soil above Grape hyacinths should four inches of soil over Most illies should be with 4 to 6 inches of them and hyacinths and need six inches covering. Tulips which are lifted from the grower spring, may be planted at depth as narcissi. But are not to be lifted, in the ground for several deep planting. 10 or 15 down, is recommended. The reason for this delay is that it prevents mation of several small replace the one you plan too small to flower there year. Deep planting trates the energy of on the production of a size replacement bu year. When bulbs are planted other plants, holes dug with a trowel raid a dibber. Place the bulb in contact with the bottom, and fill around air pockets are left. Winging in a clear space is removed to the depth the bulbs set in place bottom, and soil filled. Bulbs planted after tuber should always b with a heavy mulch on the ground from freeze root growth can be which are frozen before starts may lie dormant during the winter. A delay freezing and necessary root growth... Tulips make a lovely decoration for the patio. To get the best effect from spring flowering bulbs in the home garden, do not plant them in single rows or massed beds. The grace and beauty of the daffodils, hyacinths and tulips are much better displayed when they are planted in groups, the number in a group depending upon the size of the garden. A group of five bulbs is approximately equal to one perennial plant, and such groups can be arranged in pleasing combinations with other bulbs or plants. For maximum effect they may be planted at focal points in the garden where their beauty will stand out. Three months of color can be enjoyed from bulb plantings, but this requires that several kinds be planted, chosen for their flowering season. Each kind gives a relatively brief display, and several may for a brief time overlap, as do the daffodils, hyacinths and early tulips. The late tulips have the longest season. For a full three months, usually March, April and May, you will require snowdrops, which blossom when the ground thaws out, followed in turn by scillas, crocus, species tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, early tulips, and then late tulips, which include the parrots and late doubles. It does not take many of the earliest flowers to make a welcome display since they come at a time when nothing else is in bloom. They also bloom when it is cold outside, and will be enjoyed most if they can be seen from the picture window. Daffodils bloom before trets and shrubs are in leaf and do well in locations which are in full sun when they bloom, though later would be shaded. That is why they are often naturalized beneath trees. Tulips require sunshine most of the day. Groups of tulips can be tucked into the ground alongside perennial flowers and if planted eight to ten inches deep will bloom for several years in well drained soil, without being lifted. If there is room for a bulb border, the tall late tulips are best to plant there because of their remarkable variety of forms and colors. By carefully selecting colors and types, and using the new parrot and double tulips, as well as the Darwin Cottage and Breeder varieties, a border can be made more beautiful than at any other time of the year. All the colors of the rainbow are available among the tulips, in many tones and blends. There are many blue-purple and lavender varieties to plant in affective contrast to the yellow, orange, pink and red varieties. A group of parrot tulips will attract instant attention, with their huge fringed petals and brilliant coloring. The new late double tulips are almost as large as peonies. Tulips blossom before weeds have begun to grow, or insects have hatched out to damage the plants. They rarely have to be watered, and are the most dependable of all plants for planned effects, since they blossom at the same height and fever spread out of their assigned location. Harvest in home vegetable gardens need not end with freezing weather. Plants whose edible parts are underground are better off left there, until the ground begins to freeze. Fall leaf crops usually withstand the first killing frosts without serious injury. Both lettuce and endive stand some frost, and may be used as long as they remain in edible condition. Frost improves the flavor of endive. Brussels sprouts can be frozen hard several times without injury, and are often harvested until Christmas. Kale is almost as hardy, and so is Chinese cabbage. Cabbages of all kinds can be taken in after cold weather really sets in, and stored in a shed or garage where they are protected from hard freezing. Tomatoes should be picked before they are frozen, and ripened indoors. Various methods are followed, and all seem to work. Some hang up the vines with the fruit attached, others lay the fruit on a shelf or in a drawer. Pumpkins, squash and sweet potatoes should be stored in a temperature between 55 and 65 degrees, which is often found in a heated basement. When the ground begins to freeze on the surface, carrots, beets, turnips, and rutabagas should be dug. If there are only enough for a few weeks' use they will keep safely in an unheated garage or shed, stored where they will keep dry and the air will circulate around them. They will keep well here in extremely low temperatures if stored in boxes or baskets with moist soil packed around them. Sand is not good for packing, as it lacks insulating value and drills out too quickly. Nature's own deep freeze can be used to keep parsnips and salisfy. These vegetables with intriguing flavor may be left in the ground and dug up during winter thaws. Parsnips are much sweeter and more tender after being frozen. A convenient way to handle them is to dig up the roots before the soil frees deeply, divide the roots late parts each suffice family service. Paint into a clean paper Get a clean woo pack the bags in outdoors in a shade easily accessible Protect it from especially, and hide the box which is The roots will fright through the white need a serving for the box and take it is much easier them out of the dead of winter It is a waste of vegetables which condition or too store vegetables been frozen With broken skin decays will start Outdoor root coat made. One way large drain tile ground, with it inches below the er the top with underneath with Hardware cloth on the lid to protect rodents Be packed in box which are sunny and covered with moisture Little Care Planted Don't Forget Harvest of New Bulbs for Next Year When killing frost begins, if you have not already dug up the bulbs, or corns and tubers if you prefer to be exact, of the gladiolus, dahlias, begonias and other tender flowers which blossomed in your garden, you will probably find them in good condition and larger than they were a few weeks previous. Fall weather makes them plump with food stored for next year's flowers. The ground would be a fine place for them to pass the winter, except that hard freezing probably would be fatal. To carry them over safely you must protect them from freezing, but keep them cool so they do not sprout prematurely or dry out, and wither. After digging let them dry in the sun if the temperature stays above freezing. Dry soil will shake from them easily. The stem of a begonia tuber should not be cut or broken off, but allowed to remain until it comes loose. Both begonias and dahlias keep well when stored in a temperature from 40 to 60 degrees, and packed so air can circulate around them freely. Begonias may be stored in seed flats or similar shallow boxes, without lids, laid in dry peat moss. Gladiolus keep well in similar boxes without the moss. Do not pile either several layers deep, as this may cause them to heat. Good ventilation is required. When gladiolus are dug there will usually be large bulbs (or corns) each with remains of the original bulb attached below, together with small bulbs and tublets. Remove dead top growth and put bulbs in a 2-quart Gladiolus multiply rapidly from new bulbs and bulblets formed by each plant. Cut the steams back to inches, remove small and withered roots, and take great care not to break or injure the narrow neck which connects the tuber with the clump. Injury may prevent the tuber from as in sandy soil. In average soil, plant snow-drops, scillas, chionodoxas, with three inches of soil above them. Grape hyacinths should have four inches of soil over them. Most litter should be planted with 4 to 6 inches of soil over them and hyacinths and narcissi need six inches covering. Tulips which are intended to be lifted from the ground each spring, and replanted in the fall, may be planted at the same depth as narcissi. But if they are not to be lifted, but left in the ground for several years, deep planting, 10 or 12 inches down, is recommended. The reason for this deep planting is that it prevents the formation of several small bulbs to replace the one you plant, bulbs too small to flower the following year. Deep planting concentrates the energy of the plant on the production of a flowering size replacement bulb each year. When bulbs are planted among other plants, holes should be dug with a trowel rather than a dibber. Place the bulb firmly in contact with the soil at the bottom, and fill around it so no air pockets are left. When planting in a clear space, the soil is removed to the depth desired, the bulbs set in place on the bottom, and soil filled in. Bulbs planted after mid October should always be covered with a heavy mulch to prevent the ground from freezing before root growth can begin. Bulbs which are frozen before growth starts may lie dormant or decay during the winter. A mulch will delay freezing and permit the necessary root growth. Gladiolus multiply rapidly from new bulbs and bulblets formed by each plant. the wounds dusted with sulphur. Cut the stems back to 1 inch remove small and wilfered roots; and take great care not to break or injure the narrow neck which connects the tuber with the clump. Injury here may prevent the tuber from bearing flowers. Store the tubers in a room which stays below 60 degrees where the air is not too dry. They may be packed in boxes in peat moss or vermiculite which admit air and absorb moisture. Occasional inspection should be made during the winter so that diseased tubers may be discarded. If there are signs of shrinkage the packing material may be moistened but not enough to cause dampness. Do not be surprised if tuberous rooted begonias develop sprouts in March or early April. Old bulbs are likely to do this and are not harmed provided the sprouts are not broken. First Bulbs to Plant—Those That Flower Early Snowdrops Flower When the Last Snow Melts. The first bulbs to set out in the fall are those that blossom earliest in the spring. They must do most of their growing before the ground freezes in order to blossom so soon after it thaws out. a lawn. None of the fall bulbs should be planted where their foliage cannot be left uncut until it turns yellow. If cut, a new bulb cannot develop for the next year's flowering. Of bulbs that produce large Snowdrops Flower When the Last Snow Melts. The first bulbs to set out in the fall are those that blossom earliest in the spring. They must do most of their growing before the ground freezes in order to blossom so soon after it thaws out. There are no garden flowers which will grow and blossom while the soil is frozen. But the snowdrop comes close to doing this. It sometimes blossoms in midwinter during an unseasonable thaw. Like the hardy crocuses, scillas and tulips, snowdrops come hot from the arctic but from a semi-tropical area. Asia Minor. Their wild species grow in high mountain valleys where there is plenty of snow and freezing weather in winter, but hot sunshine in summer. Their flowers are small, white, bell shaped and later in the season would attract little attention. But as the first sign of spring they give the spirits a lift, at a time when they have no competition. If you have trouble keeping snowdrop bulbs through more than one winter dry planting them in a moist, shady location, three to four inches deep. Set the small bulbs fairly close together, and if possible select a place which can be seen from a window. It may be too cold to stay long outdoors when they bloom. After the snowdrops come the scillas. They like a sunny place and multiply from dropped seed. They are much earlier than the violet and truer blue. Cichofoasae called "glory of the snow," have blue flowers with white centers. They bloom with the scillas and also spread from seed. Crocuses follow next with larger flowers in white, blue, yellow, and red varieties. They should not be planted on a lawn. None of the fall bulbs should be planted where their foliage cannot be left uncut until it turns yellow. If cut, a new bulb cannot develop for the next year's flowering. Of bulbs that produce large flowers the first to blossom are the daffodils. The earliest bulbs to flower are the species varieties, wild forms native in the near East. The variety Red Emperor, a bright red, is probably the largest of all tulips, as well as the earliest to flower, blossoming at the same time as the daffodils. Other species tuber not quite so early, are Kaufmannia, which has creamy white petals edged with carmine, and clustans, or the "candy stick" tulip, with red outer and white inner petals, which gives a striped appearance. All early flowering bulbs should be planted as soon as practical without disturbing plants still in flower. Hyacinths are early flowering blooming at the same time as daffodils. They bring to the spring garden the first pink flowers, and also contribute several tones of blue which stand out in contrast to the prevailing yellow of the daffodil. For garden effect, what are known as budding size hyacinths are satisfactory. They are good subjects for planting boxes. Bulbs should never be planted in porch and window boxes which are exposed to cold air all around them during the winter. The boxes should be sunk in the ground and covered with a heavy mulch to protect them from the most severe temperatures. Another method is to plant the bulbs in pots, which are sunk in the ground in the winter and removed in the boxes in the spring when top growth occurs.