Let's start a growing friendship soon at a Sheridan Garden Centre.
You'll find it at Sheridan
Value With comparable prices on the most extensive selection of high quality nursery stock in Canada.
IV ltalltY With over 1,200 types of hardy plants and trees, locally raised, fresh from the soil and Guaranteed to Grow'.
VarletY With Canada 's most comprehensive listing of nursery stock and garden accessories . . . the 74 Sheridan Garden Catalogue. Now available at any of the four Sheridan Garden Centres in Metro, Mississauga, Unionville, or Etobicoke, Sheridan can supply all of your gardening needs.
Now to late October, 1974
Vienna International Garden Show, Six miles from centre of Vienna, Austria. Contact: the Civic Garden Centre.
May 21-24, 1974
Chelsea Flower Show, sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society, at Chelsea Royal Hospital Grounds, London, England. Contact: the Civic Garden Centre.
May 25-26, 1974
International Lilac Society Convention, at Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Ontario. Contact: the gardens at (416) 527-1158.
May 26, 1974
Me and My Violets, African Violet show sponsored by the Toronto African Violet Society, at Civic Garden Centre. Contact: (416) 691-4450.
June 12-14, 1974
Ontario Horticultural Association Convention, at Sheraton Brock Hotel, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Contact: Mr. R. F. Gomme (416) 965-1091.
June 14-16, 1974
American Peony Society Exhibition, at Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Ontario. Contact: the gardens at (416) 527-1158.
June 22, 1974
Golden Anniversary Rose Show and Tea, sponsored by Oshawa Horticultural Society, at St. George s Anglican Church, Oshawa. Contact: (416) 7288302.
June 22-23, 1974
Great Lakes Regional Bonsai Show, at The Garden Center of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio. Contact: (216) 721-1600.
Coming Events of notable Gardening and Floral Arts Interest
June 23, 1974
Canadian Rose Show, sponsored by the Canadian Rose Society, at the Inn on the Park, Eglinton Avenue East and Leslie, Don Mills, Ontario. Contact: Jack Blair (416) 444-9126.
July 9-17, 1974
Danish Gardens Seminar, at various sites in Denmark, including Funen, the garden of Denmark. Contact: the Civic Garden Centre.
July 11-13, 1974
International Lily Show, of the North American Lily Society, at University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska (Minneapolis), Minnesota. Contact: (416) 233-4900.
July 13-17, 1974
American Association of Nurserymen Convention, at Four Seasons Sheraton Hotel, Toronto. Contact: Mr. H. H. Stensson (416) 822-4841.
July 20-21, 1974
Lily Show, of the Ontario Regional Lily Society, at Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Ontario. Contact: (416) 2334900.
Work on your shade trees done by competent, professional men with years of experience. Call us early for an estimate.
/wrt/ ;éy_///.fl'/ e /fj' n { 1480 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, Ont. M6E 1C7 (416) 654-7025
And, may I now have thefourth Last Word p74
Regular Features
Coming Events, 3; Gardening Events Calendar, 12; Herblock Loames, 14; Library and Bookshop, 16; Shop, 17; Milne House Garden Club, 20; and School of Floral Decoration, 21.
Other ltems of Interest This Month
Highrise Gardening Cartoon, 21.
The Front Cover
The cutleaf staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina Laciniata ) has a beautiful texture and colours well in the autumn. Story on page 7. Photo by Art C. Drysdale.
Civic Garden Centre Board of Directors
Mrs. K. G. (Audrey) Allman; R. H. (Roy) Bainard; Mrs. J. H. (Betty) Billes; J. (Jack) Blair; J. E. (John) Bradshaw; Mrs. D. P. (Elizabeth) Bryce; G. P. (Geoff) Clarkson; E. A. (Ed) Endersby; R. A. (Reg) Mackenzie; G. A. (Gib) Milne; E. R. (Ernie) Pope; Mrs. E. (Flavia) Redelmeier (Chairman); Mrs. F. W. (Genevieve) Robertson; L. C. (LarrK) Sherk; Mrs. R. (Helen) Skinner; T. W. (Tom) Thompson; D. H. (Dave) Yerex.
Staff for Civic Garden Centre and Trellis
J. C. (Jim) Boyd, Executive Director; A. C. (Art) Drysdale, Associate Director and Editor; Mrs. J. W. (Awdrey) Clarke, Executive Secretary.
General Information
N, Trellis is published monthly (except July and August) by the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Don Mills, Ontario, M3C 1P2. The Centre is located in Edwards Gardens, at Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East, the geographical centre of Metropolitan Toronto. It is a non-profit gardening and floral arts information organization with open membership. Subscriptions to Trellis are only available through Centre membership ($5 for 12 months). Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre. This is Volume 1, Number 4.
§ 4 Itits about N gardening
ask Toronto s
% Garden Centre
THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE Telephone 445-1552
What it is
« A non-profit gardening and floral arts centre for the dissemination of information to amateur gardeners and flower-arrangers
« An open membership body with over 2,000 keen gardener-members (from rank amateurs to advanced professionals) who pay only $5 for 12 months
« Home of six gardening clubs or groups with specific gardening interests
» Meeting place for specialized plant societies from Bonsai to Roses
» Home of some of the best flower arrangers in North America (quoted from U.S.A. author and editor, Helen Van PeltWilson)
What it does
o Operates Canada s most complete public horticultural library
« Responds to over3,000gardening questions annually
e Organizes, in both spring and autumn, garden talks and demonstrations on a wide variety of subjects and atdifferent levels
« Teaches non-commercial flower arranging at various levels to over 300 persons annually and encourages their competition
« Carries on an extensive flower-drying program to extend garden beauty through into the winter months economically
o Operates a Speakers Panel Bureau which brings panels of experts on various subjects to groups desirous ofan informative program
e Publishes information booklets on various subjects; e.g. Preserving Beautiful Flowers
« Stages two flower shows each year and hosts numerous others
What members receive ($5 annual fee)
Ten issues per year of Trellis
« Free borrowing privileges from the 3,000-volume library
Ten per cent discount off all purchases of books and gardening and floral arts supplies bought from the Centre
e Opportunity to join one or more specialized member groups or clubs
« Discounts off all courses offered at the Centre
« Free admission to Members' Nights held at leasttwice per year
177 Lawrence Ave. East (in Edwards Gardens), Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1P2
Trellis / 5
There are many homeowners who cannot tell a peony from a poppy, but everyone seems to be familiar with the dandelion. It is all too common and difficult to ignore. If a garden is neglected, it can take only one season for dandelions to crop up and gain dominance in the battle ofthe lawn. But the days of getting on your hands and knees and digging out the dandelions are long over. At best, this approach is a stopgap measure.
Dandelions develop deep taproots, which means that it is virtually impossible to get rid ofthem by either pulling or digging. Even ifyou cut a root with a knife far below .the dandelion crown you ll not eliminate the weed, and, as a matter of fact, a circle of new sprouts will grow from the root, producing plants which will be as vigorous as the old!
Control of dandelions is now simple. There are two excellent ways of having a lawn completely free of broadleaf weeds, even if you thought that last year, you had more weeds than grass.
A weedy lawn such as this may be repaired with one application of weed control.
lawn Weed Control
is easy if you start with Chemicals now
Art C. Drysdale, Editor
First, remember the name 24-D that is the major chemical for control of lawn weeds. When you go to your local garden centre to buy it, you may find it available in mixtures with other chemicals Mecoprop for one. If so, buy it so mixed. Mecoprop will kill a number of the very stubborn weeds, such as mouse-ear chickweed and knotweed, that 2,4-D alone will not get. Mix the chemical at home exactly according to directions on the label and apply it either with a sprayer, mixer bottle or watering can, that you reserve strictly for the application of such killing chemicals. Do not use the container for the application of insecticides later in the summer! By the way, the weed Killers are relatively harmless to humans and pets.
The second method of control, is lawn fertilizer/herbicide combination products that all of the fertilizer manufacturers now have available. See the advertisements in this issue. By applying one of these with a good fertilizer spreader, you not only fertilize the lawn, you apply the weed killers as well you do twojobs at one time. Be sure to follow bag directions as to watering and rainfall etc. when using a combination fertilizer/herbicide product.
Dandelions, as well as other broadleaf weeds such as plantain and knotweed, are easier to eliminate in spring, but progressively harder as summer moves on. The Civic Garden Centre recommends you begin your irradication programme when you can recognize the dandelions all-too-familiar leaves. Young, fast-growing weeds are the easiest to eliminate, but you may spray weeds whenever you see them through-out the growing season.
At this time ofyear, the bane of suburbia, crabgrass, will not yet have ap(Conclusion on page 11)
Here are some garden hints for May. First your lawn it should already have had its first application of plain lawn or turf fertilizer, high in nitrogen. Nitrogen is represented by the first number (a percentage) on the bag. Since nitrogen is the element that provides good green foliage, it follows that you need plenty ofit for grass. Look for a formula such as 21-7-7, or 12-4-8, or 16-8-8. If you have not already applied such a fertilizer, there is still plenty of time; however, if you were subjected to a crabgrass infestation last year, you will probably want to put on a combination product as discussed in the weed control article in this issue.
Pruning evergreens is best done at this time of year, just before their new growth comes out. Drastic cutting into older, thick branches, though not normally recommended, may even be accomplished at this time of year since such cuts may well be covered by sprouting, otherwise dormant buds. Be sure to use sharp pruning shears, and do not leave stubs; rather, make all cuts even with the larger branch from which the one being removed emerged. Except for Japanese yews, it is best not to cut any great amount ofgreen foliage from evergreens, so that only bare branches remain. Rather, a little should be removed each year to keep the shrubs or trees within bounds. Japanese yews are better able to withstand severe pruning. And, of course, it is planting time. Now is the ideal time to plant almost any type of hardy nursery stock if you can get it, since there is an acute shortage of many plant materials. Be sure to visit your favourite garden centre as soon as possible, and try to
Good Gardening in May will be yours if you follow these Tips
Deiter Maier*
make it at a time during the week when they are not quite so busy. By the way, that beautiful cutleaf staghorn sumac shown on the cover makes an ideal shrub for along your back fence. It grows only to a height of eight feet, has interesting textured foliage, and a brilliant fall colour.
Not only is now the planting time for smaller shrubs and trees, but if you are in a new suburb and willing to do almost anything to get some shade for your patio this summer, you may want to search out a large tree. Provided you have good access from your street, large specimens, such as the photo here shows, may be lifted into your back garden now. Just consult one of the tree companies advertising in this issue.
Ifyou mounded your rose bushes last year, these should be taken down by now, and pruning carried out according to the instructions in our last issue. Hardy perennials and biennials may be set out now, and the first crop of vegetable seeds should go in soon.
Large string-balled tree specimens provide homeowners with instant shade''.
*Mr. Maier is foreman in charge of Edwards Gardens, part of the regional parks system operated by the Metropolitan Toronto Parks Department.
SATURDAYS beginning at 10 a.m.
SUNDAYS beginning at 8:10 a.m.
Good
for
Everything You Grow
Mother Earth Composted Cattle Manure for all seeds and ideal for transplanting cuttings evergreens
African Violet Soil Potting and Planter Soil best for tender-rooted for potting all young plants plants
And, many other fine products
¢ & el HILLVIEW FARMS LTD. AT b Toronto Office: R.R. # 4, Woodstock, Ontario G. R. (Dick) Sale, (519) 537:7942 Sales Manager (416) 231-0589
The newest group or club within the structure of the Civic Garden Centre is the gardening under lights group the inaugural meeting having been held on Tuesday, March 26. Following this successful meeting, at which a six-member committee was selected, a further meeting ofthe group was held on April 10 at which various members of the group demonstrated their gardening-underlights techniques to the 60 members present.
Heading the group, and committee, is Gib Milne, a director ofthe Centre and an ardent light gardener for many years. Working with Gib on the committee are: Alex Sage, Bill Bockhop, Bob Turner and Mr. and Mrs. Burton. At the time of this writing, the group has signed 60 members with many, many others inquiring for information. Following the inaugural meeting on March 26, some 45 of the group accepted Gib Milne s invitation to visit his home and see his plant room and potting shed. Obyiously the strength of a group such as this is going to be the personal contacts and tips picked up from fellow members of the group.
The light gardening group has international affiliations as a chapter of the Indoor Light Gardening Society of America. ILGSA has chapters in major U.S.A. cities, but this one at the Centre in Toronto is the first in Canada. The first national convention ofILGSA is to be held in Boston in early October, and the Centre s chapter expects to be well represented.
Qualifications for membership in the light gardening group are few: an interest in growing plants (any type) under artificial lights, membership in the Civic Garden Centre, and an additional $2 fee for the group. Presently the group plans to meet monthly, with the possible exception of the summer months. Meeting date, until further notice, will
light Gardening Group at Centre plans Workshops
be the second Wednesday of each month. Thus, May 8 and June 12 are the next dates. Activities of the group will be regularly reported in future issues of Trellis, and meeting dates will be noted on the Gardening and Floral Arts Events Calendar that appears in the centre spread of each issue.
While there are a numberofexcellent speakers on the subject of light gardening, it is presently the plan of the group s committee to keep the meetings to_workshop sessions where members may learn from one another, techniques and tricks to improve their own growing. Soon a propagation committee will be formed and will set about the task of producing quantities of some of the more unusual plants not generally available in the horticultural trade. As national ILGSA president, George A. Elbert, said in his article in the January issue of Trellis (page 7), A growing list of exotics, many unknown to horticulture only a few years back, will bloom practically every day in the year with little attention. You will not find most of them at your local florist but every year nurseries are growing more of them. Light gardeners call them miracle plants , and they really are.
While the workshop sessions offered at group meetings will yield answers to individual members problems, the national body, ILGSA, too has something additional to offer. Light Garden is a bimonthly little'magazine put out by the national body,.and which may be obtained by group members through paymentofan additional $5 fee which is. in turn, submitted to the national office in New York City. As a courtesy to Centre members who wish to join the national (Conclusion on page 20)
Background photo: Civic Garden Centre executive secretary, Awdrey Clarke, tends her home light garden. Photo by The Mirror.
Planning a trip to Europe this spring, summer or fall? Here is a horticultural highlight, right in easily accessible Holland, that is not too well known by Canadian gardening enthusiasts visiting that country. Ifyou are visiting Holland this year, it is quite conceivable that you would not have planned to include the port city of Rotterdam on your itinerary. I hope after reading about Trompenburg, you will decide it warrants a visit especially since it s only a short train ride from Amsterdam.
Above, general view of Trompenburg Arboretum with Van Hoey Smith residence in background. Below, Picea pungens Glauca Procumbens , a new plant which exhibits typical Koster blue needle colour. Photos by author.
Said to be the tallest trees in Rotterdam, the two Canadian poplars standing guard at the end of one lane in Trompenburg Arboretum are over 150 years old!
With much love, care and financial sacrifice, five generations of the Van Hoey Smith family have built up this arboretum which now has extensive specific collections such as over 150 different oaks, 500 Rhododendrons, 62 false cypress, 43 junipers, 40 spruce, 22 pines, 20 arborvitae, 18 yews, 15 beech, etc.
Though the central plot of the arboretum dates back to 1820, it was not until 1928, following the great damage caused by Dutch Elm Disease, that the garden was totally reorganized, and the number of species considerably expanded. Now the arboretum is rightly considered as part of the sightseeing for visitors to Rotterdam, and it is regularly visited by students from various horticultural institutes in Holland.
Even with this popularity, relatively few Rotterdammers are acquainted with the arboretum, and even fewer visit it. Admission is free, though the owner asks that each visitor obtain an admission card which outlines the arboretum s few regulations. All maintenance, with the exception of the removal of any large trees, or their moving to other locations, is carried out by the owner and a very small staff. The large heavy work is carried out by the city s parks department on request from the owner. On visiting the arboretum, it is obvious that an excellent relationship exists between owner, J. R. P. Van Hoey Smith, and city parks director, André Raad.
The arboretum s over 2,000 specimens are located on an area ofabout 13
Trompenburg Arboretum in Rotterdam waits Your Visit
Art C. Drysdale, Editor
acres, only a few hundred yards from the grounds where, in medieval times, proud Honingen castle lifted its tower skyward. Nature and science go hand in hand in this oasis which seems to shut out all the noise of the bustling metropolis. Outstanding kinds of trees from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and America, crowned by a rare collection of stout cedars, have been brought together. A well-balanced layout accentuates the natural effect both of specimens and groups in a most successful way. Trompenburg is a living dictionary for the amateur and specialist horticulturists, particularly Holland s Boskoop nurserymen, who are introducing new cultured forms to the plant market. Mr. Van Hoey Smith regards it as one ofthe functions of the arboretum to introduce and propagate new species and forms of culture to the benefit of forestry as well as landscape gardening. The arboretum is also an oasis for the layman. Here he learns to look at trees in a new way.
Potential new plants for Canada
A visit to the arboretum reveals several new varieties ofinterest to horticulturists ofall countries including Canada. A new creeping blue spruce appeared of future interest for Canadians, and to me was something a little unusual. Picea pungens Glauca Procumbens was developed at the arboretum, as was a new dwarf blue pine, Pinus pumila Dwarf Blue , the colour of which is absolutely superb. In order to safeguard the arboretum s continuity, Trompenburg has been made a foundation, with the management presently in the hands of the owners, the Van Hoey Smith family, and representatives of an institute for the promotion of public activities. The latter contributes substantially towards the
preservation of this museum of living nature , unique in an extremely horticulturally-orientated country Holland.
Trompenburg lies on historical ground. The arboretum is named after a former seat of government, and the original house is said to have been built in the 17th century. According to tradition, the famous admiral Tromp, who fought the British in the Anglo-Dutch war, lived here. An artesian well, still producing very clear water, is the only memory left of the house, which was pulled down in the first halfof the 19th century. About 1850, the smaller governmental area of Weltevreden, near Honingerdijk (which had a house ofthe same name, buiilt on tar barrels and still exists) was joined to Trompenburg.
Horticultural highlights of the arboretum are headed by the cedar tree collection which is divided into three main groups: Atlas, Lebanon and Himalaya which are represented in different forms. Also of interest is a singletrunk bald cypress with knees which originated from the Mississippi delta, and a giant Thuja with many layers which are nearly as big as the main trunk.
Canadian gardeners visiting Holland should make it a point to visit Trompenburg and see for themselves this amazing collection of 2,000 different specimens of trees from around the world.
Weed Control
(Conclusionfrom page 6)
peared but it will very soon. And, the best way of controlling it is with a preemergence crabgrass control. That is, the product must be applied before the crabgrass seeds germinate, and they will germinate very soon by the time the lilacs are in flower. So, if you had crabgrass last year, you may be assured it will try to take over your lawn again this summer unless you apply a control. Yourgarden centre will sell you another combination product a fertilizer/crabgrass control, such as those mentioned in advertisements in this issue. But do it NOW, before it is too late! Trellis
Events in blue held at Civic Garden Centre; more data from the Centre (445-1552) unless a specific phone number given. All other events (in black) held elsewhere; for data call phone number given. All events begin at 8:00 pm unless otherwise stated.
Sun Mon Tues
at 1:00 pm (759-1439)
Library open 1 to 5:00 pm
12
Library open 10:00 am to
19
Library open 1 to 5:00 pm
Toronto African Violet 80\026 Me and My Violets (6914450)
Library open 1 to 5:00 pm
Georgina Brock (Wlllred)b H.S. Spring Show (432-2592)
Oshawa H.S. Spring Show (728-8302)
Library open 7 to 9:00 pm
Toronto Bonsai S. (7!2] 3 2403)
Agincourt G.C. Tulip Show (294-1701)
Mount Albert H.S. Spring Show and Plant Auction (473-2120)
Newmarket H.S. Daffodil Show and Plant Exchange (895-4145)
Library open 7 to 9:00 pm
Stouffville H.S. Spring Showzo (640-1922)
Centre's Shop open but Li-
brary closed
Ajax G.C. (942-0155) 27 East Toronto H. & Dahlia S. Spring Show (691-3665)
Markham H.S. Spring Show (294-3267)
North York H.S. Spring Show (221-2158)
Roseland (Weston) H.S. (893-1288)
Scarborough H.S. Spring Show (282-8728)
Abbreviations used as follows: H. = Horticultural; S. = Society; and G.C. = Garden Club. Note: Civic Garden Centre Shop and Library open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, plus additional hours listed below.
Wed
Men s Garden Club regu- 7 lar monthly meeting
Pickering H.S. Plant Auction (282-2441)
Library open 7 to 9:00 pm
Highrise Gardeners of To ] 4 ronto " Roses in Containers
Gardeners and Florists Assoc. of Ontario regular monthly meeting (222-1275)
North Toronto H.S. Spring Show (488-4749)
Library open 7 to 9:00 pm
Leaside G.C. (481-0192)
21
Pickering H.S. Spring Show (282-2441)
Thornhill H.S. (889-0231)
Library open 7 to 9:00 pm
Brampton H.S. (459-0119) 28 Lakeshore H.S. (278-2517)
Lake Simcoe (Sutton) H.S. (476-3087)
Richmond Hill H.S. (8841407)
Schomberg H.S. (939-2146)
Library open 7 to 9:00 pm
Light Gardenin regular monthly
Unionville H.S. and Plant Sale |
Uxbridge H.S. f (852-6959)
Library open 7 |
Cloverleaf (Mis: C. (278-1590)
Library open 7
H.S. (
Library open 7
Swansea H.S.
Library open 1 at 1:00 pm (759-1439)
Georgina Brock (Wilfred) 3 H.S. June Show (432-2592)
Men s Garden Club regu- 4 lar monthly meeting
H.S
Library open 1 to 5:00 pm
Library open 7 to 9:00 pm
Brooklin
mm a y meeting Flower Show (297-1430)
Plant Auction
to 9:00 pm
isissauga) G] 5
Canadian Chrysanthemum 9 and Dahlia S. Plant Sale (223-2964)
open 7 to 9:00 pm
Riverdale H.S. Spring ShoJ 0 (466-4235)
open 1 to 5:00 pm
Canadian Geranium and p..] 6 Scarborough H.S. Plant Sale] 7 Aurora H.S. Tulip Show at ] 8 largonium S. (889-0181) (282-8728) 5:00 pm (727-6232)
East York G.C. Plant Sale Toronto H.S. (425-4726) Scarborough H.S. Plant Sale and Spring Show (425-7496) (282-8728)
Scarborough H.S. Plant Sale (282-8728)
open 9:30 am to 5:00 to 9:00 pm
open 7 to 9:00 pm pm
22 Canadian Chryunthcmurzs Beaverton H.S. Flower Shov24 Newmarket H.S. Tulip Show 25 and Dahlia S. (223-2964) and Plant Sale (426-7878) at 2:00 pm (895-4145) Oshawa H.S. Tulip Show at 2:00 pm (728-8302)
9:00 pm
H.S. Spring 8 Show at 2:00 pm (895-4145)
The blade of the long-handled shovel Herblock Loames is polishing is not stainless steel, it just looks that way after many years ofloving care. And, as he polishes, he sings. The song he sings is discordant and often interrupted by his task
When swaller s nest has swallers in it (rub, rub)
An parent birds (here he turns the shovel over)
An parent birds ne er rest a minute
The old man goes into the kitchen and reappears with a fresh cloth and resumes his polishing. And his song
When doom-t -doom an my front room
Has tulips in it summer s coom.
* % %
It was in these Arcadian pleasures that Herblock was engaged when the ting-ting of a bicycle bell brought him down out of the clouds. It was his old friend Alf who had a small commercial greenhouse a mile down the road. Each evening, just as twilight shadows were beginning to spread across Herb s tiny lawn, he would begin to glance expectantly in the direction of his gate. They were both creatures ofhabit and no day would be complete for the two friends unless they could share a pint ofale and tell each other all the news from Alf s greenhouse and Herb s kitchen garden since the previous day.
As soon as Alf s favorite chair had been brought out from the kitchen, their clay pipes reloaded and lit, and two mugs of beer added to the scene, the two friends were ready for conversation.
14 / April 1974
The seedlings were demolished
Tonight, Herblock had a special news item, and after a few highlights of the day s happenings in the greenhouse and the garden had been disposed of, he knocked the dottle out of his pipe and deliberately and slowly reloaded it. When it was glowing redly and clouds of smoke were rising about his head, Herblock took a long drink from his mug. To the uninitiated, this ritual would have meant nothing. But to Alf s practiced eye, it portended an announcement of exceptional importance, and Alf watched him eagerly.
Finally Herblock turned to his friend and said, Seedlings botanists brought from Himalayas!
Aye?
Must have cost Mrs. Goldleaf a bundle.
Aye.
Ten, mebbe fifteen thousand. What about seedlings? , inquired Alf, no longer able to contain his eagerness.
Herblock made an abrupt downward gesture with his thumb.
No-0-0-0!
Earwigs.
Gawd!
Boogers got every one.
* % %
Col. Reginald Ponfret Blimp, the eminent head of Blimp and Associates, Horticultural Consultants , was seated at a table in the azalea garden in the estate of Mrs. Gwendolyn Goldleaf. From time to time he would cast an apprehensive glance in the direction of Goldleaf Grange, and now the stately figure of his hostess had just emerged. She had set a course for the azalea garden, and her butler accompanied her
bearing a huge tea tray. However, neither the promise ofhot toast and butterdrenched crumpets beneath gleaming pewter covers, nor even the brilliance of the June afternoon sunshine, did anything to relieve the gloom that enveloped him. For his was gloom of the spirit and nothing short of a solution to the maddening mystery of the flying earwigs would have had any power to dispel it.
But worse was in store for the unhappy Blimp.
He had been commissioned to take delivery of the seedlings from the team ofplant explorers, and to plant and protect the seedlings from every conceivable hazard. He had planted them in a large coldframe along the rim of which he had fastened a triple thickness ofcotton saturated with a powerful insect repellent; a sure protection against every insect that crawls. The day after they were planted, the seedlings had looked fine; the second morning he was horrified to find them demolished and in their stead many earwigs moving about the scene of the massacre in search of cover, or hiding under fragments of leaves!
Herblock Loames enters the case
In Mrs. Goldleaf s manner, as she seated herself before the tea tray, there was coolness tempered by the civility expected ofa hostess. Deep down inside she was boiling with indignation over the great man s failure to protect her seedlings; and his failure, a whole week later, to come up with any explanation. Even so, it was with some trepidation
Herblock Loames the great plant detective solves a Horticultural Mystery
I. B. Lucas*
that she informed him that she had consulted Herblock Loames, the little old Yorkshire gardener who lived a couple of miles down the road. He had made Blimp look foolish on some earlier occasions and the mere mention of his name was enough to raise Blimp s blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Yes, she continued, coolly ignoring the signs that he was about to throw a fit, and he should be here any minute.
And, sure enough, the diminutive figure of Herblock, carefully and formally attired in a black coat, leather leggings, and an old felt hat, could be seen coming down the garden path.
Well, Mr. Loames, began Blimp after formal greetings had been exchanged, I suppose the great plant detective will have no trouble solving the (Conclusion on page 19)
Herblock Loames.
interest in dwarf fruit trees. Author of The Footloose Gardener, a fun book about his travel adventures, this series of gardening fables is first published in Trellis. This is episode two.
*Mr. Lucas is a Canadian lawyer whose law practice has always taken second place to his
This is the season most of us take a renewed interest in our lawns. Often by this time, the front or back lawn has more yellow in it than green or it may be very uneven, or perhaps the grass varieties are not suitable to the location and have begun to die. Or, maybe this is the year you decide you are going to have a green carpet the envy ofall the neighbours. For inspiration and advice visit the bookshop before you do anything have a look at: Lawns and Ground Covers, a Sunset book at $1.95; or A Perfect Lawn the Easy Way, by Robert Scherry of the Lawn Institute at $10.95; or Lawns and Ground Covers, a volume of the TimeLife Gardening Encyclopaedia at$7.95.
Although the best time for pruning fruit trees and a few other shrubs and trees has passed, there is still plenty of time to prune most of the rapidly growing plant material either in your foundation planting, or in the back garden. As with so many other tasks, the longer that pruning is put off, the more difficult it becomes. Take your pruning shears in one hand (the garden shop at the Centre has a stock of some of best types), and a pruning how-to diagram in the other hand, and get busy! Here are a few books you may want either to borrow from the library, or to purchase for your own permanent reference: Ornamental Shrubs for Canada, by Lawrence C. Sherk (one of the Civic Garden Centre s directors) at $3.50; How to Prune Almost Everything, by John P. Baumgardt at $3.25; and the Sunset book, Pruning Handbook at $1.95.
All of these books, and hundreds of others, are available for sale from the Centre s bookshop, and members of the Centre are eligible for a ten per cent discount on purchases exceeding $2. Or, you may wish to borrow a number of
16 / April 1974
Centre s Bookshop and Library wants You to know How to Prune
Mrs. Wendy Hillier, Librarian
books on a variety ofsubjects, for up to three weeks. However, this privilege is restricted to Centre members only another incentive for membership!
If you are interested in gardening books, or books on allied subjects such as flower arranging, children s projects, crafts, ecology, cooking etc., we do have a short selected book list available which will give an idea of the sort of books we carry. Ifyou would like a free copy, please phone or write to us.
Member, Ella Irving, has supplied us with the following review of Colour Treasury ofJapanese Flower Arranging which sells at $2.69.
Here is a book which will be equally fascinating for both experienced flower arrangers and beginners. Many of the mysteries of Ikebana are explained by the step by step instructions throughout. An appreciation of the Oriental simplicity of form, which is gaining much popularity today, is heightened with an explanation of the culture and philosophy to which different flowers and materials relate. The colour presentation is superb and it is refreshing in this age of rising prices to find a quality publication which is so reasonably priced. The library staff and volunteers were pleased to talk with so many gardeners and flower arrangers at both the Garden Club of Toronto s Spring Flower and Garden Show, and the National Home Show. At the O Keefe Centre in March, many people were disappointed to find us sold out of both of feature flower demonstrator Marian Aaronson s books. Both Design with Plant Material ($14.95) and The Art ofFlower Arranging ($10.95) should be available in our bookshop by the time this issue reaches you. Reading either one of these books is an opportunity to recapture the magic of Mrs. Aaronsons floral demonstration techniques.
The Civic Garden Centre s shop is now well stocked with supplies for indoor and outdoor gardening as well as items for the flower arranger, and the justplain small-gift-hunter!
For those seeking a cutting- or seedstarting medium, we now have a supply of the finest vermiculite and perlite for this purpose. As has been the case for some time, we still have a good supply of economical and effective plant propagators useful at all seasons of the year. Due to the shortage of plastics, some of these propagators will soon be out of stock indefinitely, so get yours while there is still a selection of sizes and before prices rise!
The indoor light gardening group is off to a good start, and its members have already made known some oftheir requirements. Fluorescent fixtures, stands, hanging lamps etc. remain available at our shop, and new items will be added as they become available.
For those of you who write the family s thank you notes, be sure to see our expanded line of hasti-notes, both Canadian and imported. We have the full range of Canadian artist, Marjorie Dickinson s note papers watercolours of plants and flowers that are much in demand. From England and Sweden, our imported notepaper too is unusual and popular. See the many different types soon.
Perhaps the most interesting new item in the shop recently, and on view first at the National Home Show, is the Satellite Bird Feeder. Scientifically designed by James R. Waite, a polio patient with much time to observe bird feeding habits, the satellite feeder is not only practical, but fun as well. Squirrels
Centre s Shop has a new item
that is For the
Birds
Mrs. Doris Weir, Shop Director cannot raid the feeder because of its slippery, smooth surface, and the fact that it tips if they should happen to get on it by jumping. However, while the feeder tips, the sunflower seeds cannot fall out! When birds are using the feeder, it twirls in the air making it an interesting sight to watch.
Six inches in diameter, with a silvery top and clear bottom of durable plexiglas, the satellite feeder is easy to hang from small branches, house eaves or apartment railings. It comes complete with hardware for hanging. Cost is $13.50.
If you are looking for the ideal hostess gift for a weekend cottage visit, or young persons birthday gift, be sure to see this bird feeder at our shop. Actually, it s ideal for anyone who likes to watch birds!
The Satellite bird feeder.
You are invited. .
to visit our greenhouses (80,000 square feet) and see our quality tropical and foliage plants, cactus and succulents plus African violets. Have your house plant questions answered by experts!
Open six days per week (closed Sundays) from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Just a few minutes off Highway 403 (Main St. West Exit).
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DUNDAS, ONTARIO (416) 628-2632
10 Jethro Road, Downsview. 241-7191 241-7411
BEAUTIFUL LAWN.
So-Green has developed an easy-to-follow four step program that will guarantee you a beautiful lawn. Each step will be outlined in this publication during the coming months
STEP2:MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE.
During these months use So- All Purpose 7-7-7 available in Green's famous All Purpose 75 Ib, 50 Ib. and 25 Ib. bags and 7-7-7 with iron. We guarantee |5blb. box1egoé\ppl>;tat the rate of 15 ou a deep, dark green lawn or S. per sq. zour monepy refun%ed. Don't be So-Green Bug Killer available in confused with other brands, 20 Ib. bags. Apply at the rate of 8 . Ibs. per 1000 sq. ft they're not the real thing. For a free copy of the complete If you are plagued with ants, go_Green Four Step Program write June Bugs or other soil insects, to the address below. use So-Green Bug Killer plus 10-5-10 fertilizer for your second feeding.
&_H So-Green Division, F. Manley 2 Corporation,25Lesmill Road, Don Mills, Ontario 18 / April 1974
Herblock Loames
(Conclusionfrom page 15)
mystery that has baffled my staff for the past week?
Oh, ah wouldn say that, Col. Blimp; Ah d have to have a look around first.
You think all you ll need is a look around? , exploded Blimp, his undisguised fury breaking through his sarcasm.
Can t be sure, but aah think so. And he trudged off to where Parsons, the head gardener, was discreetly awaiting him in the background.
* ¥ %
When Herblock Loames returned 20 minutes later, the great man had got himself under control again and he greeted Herblock with, Well, the great Sherlock Holmes, excuse me, the great Herblock Loames has arrived back with the solution all neatly wrapped up with no loose ends. You have the answer of course?
Oh aye, twer quite simple. WHAT! , cried the outraged Blimp.
Ah d seen same thing happen before. Heavy fog that night neutralised repellentjust long enough to let earwigs in. Herblock helped himselfto a crumpet.
If ah was you, he continued, ah d experiment wi some different repellents, something wi oil base that would not absorb moisture. And, after thanking Mrs. Goldleaf and bowing formally to the open-mouthed Blimp, he trudged off down the garden path.
* * *
Twilight was once more spreading over Herblock s tiny lawn when Alf s ting-ting sounded at the garden gate. But it had not spread very far for Alf was half an hour earlier than usual. He could not wait to hear what had happened at Goldleaf Grange. Herb was the master of the suspenseful buildup.
Herb had already set out Alf s chair for him but instead of the usual pitcher of beer, there stood beside their two
mugs a quart of Guinness. This boded well for the news Herb had in store for Alf.
The dramatic value of suspense was no secret to Herb and for half an hour he drove Alf nearly to distraction by discoursing on the weather, on the trouble he had been having with the plum curculio and the onion maggot. Finally Alfcould stand it no longer and burst out with,
Well, Herb, what happened?
Herb told him the solution he offered-up at Goldleaf Grange.
But Herb, Alffaltered, t 'wern t no fog that night.
No, Alf, Uwern t. Ah asked Parsons if anyone had used shading an he said Blimp had. He showed me roll of slats Blimp d used an "twer full ofearwigs.
A grin began to form around Alf s mouth. Soon it had spread ear to ear.
So you sent the ol booger on wild goose chase?
No Alf, ah phoned Blimp about earwigs in slats.
You did! You told a phoney story "bout fogjuzt to save the ol booger? He won t even unnerstan , he ll think you expect some kind of reward.
Oh, but ah do expect a reward, grinned Herb. Mah reward will come when ah m listening to robin singin his dawn song tomorrow mornin. Herb would have liked to enlarge on this idea but his audience, who was no philosopher-poet, and thought Herb was a bit daft at times, was on his way out the gate.
Herb was smiling as he wiped the dew off his shovel and put it away!
If it s about Gardening . . . ask Toronto s Civic Garden Centre. Membership, including ten issues per year of TRELLIS only $5 for 12 months.
Milne House Garden Club to hear noted Horticulturist on Plants for Shade
Eleanor Wickman
During the spring and fall, at the regular monthly meetings of the Milne House Garden Club, the club holds a flower show with both decorative and horticulture sections. What an inspiration to view golden yellow roses in a delicate turquoise ginger jar while the last semblance of winter descends outside in blustery gusts. My Favourite Things was the February theme for the decorative section and brought excited comment from all present. Ruth Krieger is our capable flower show committee chairman responsible for setting up these monthly programmes, while Amy Campbell presides over the horticulture section. Pots of hyacinths, tulips and daffodils, terrariums of house plants, and vines lined our path to the Centre s auditorium because all of our
Light Garden Group
(Conclusion from page 9)
ILGSA, these fees may be paid directly to the Civic Garden Centre, for transmission to New York.
As a further aid to Canadian members, and the Centre s light gardening group, ILGSA has appointed a Canadian plant and light consultant in the person of Mrs. Leni Forsdike, of The
Indoor Light GardeningSpecialists
e Terrarium lamps e Hobby greenhouses e Wall & table ) e Humex models accessories
o Build-up mini- e Stewart gardengardens ware Exotic, Miniature & Terrarium Plants at The Plant Room, Qakville, 878-4984
EQUIPMENT CONSULTANTS AND SALES
@ 2241 Dunwin Dr., Mississauga, Ont. L5L 1A3 Phone 828-5925
members are horticulture enthusiasts! We look forward each month to seeing the results of our own and other members efforts on display.
At our Tuesday May 21 meeting (9:45 am), the theme of our show will be Best Sellers and we are being asked to interpret: Jonathon Livingston Seagull , The Canadian Dream , The Female Eunuch , Playboy , Field and Stream , and Weight Watchers Cook Book .
Our speaker that morning will be Lawrence C. Sherk, chief horticulturist with Sheridan Nurseries Ltd., and coauthor of Ornamental Shrubs for Canada, published by Agriculture Canada. He will speak to us on the subject, Your Shady Garden .
Then, on Tuesday, May 28, there will be a combined decorative and horticulture workshop for our members, also at the Centre. The decorative section will be at 9:30 am, and the horticulture at 1:30 pm. These workshops are held to supplement the Centre s courses and to whet further our appetites and enthusiasm for our flower shows, and they are greatly enjoyed by all who take the opportunity to attend.
Plant Room, Hornby (north of Oakville on Trafalgar Road, south of Highway 401). Mrs. Forsdike already works closely with Mr. Michael Kartuz, of Kartuz Greenhouses in Massachusetts, who is U.S.A. plant consultant to ILGSA.
Anyone desiring further information about the light gardening group should telephone the Centre.
PEFFERLAW PEAT STARTER MIX
The ideal sterile mix for all your cuttings and seedlings. Avoid seedling diseases, use our proven mix as professionals do.
G. T. STRAIN & SON
Cannington, Ont. Phone (Toronto) 364-6068
Start Now with Flower Arranging Classes for Spring Season
Marea Lyle
Now is the time 1o sign up for classes in flower arrangement with every spring day bursting with new growth in our gardens. The homemaker, whether living in a house or apartment, will be inspired by the lessons given by the Civic Garden Centre s many gifted instructors. They are all floral artists with considerable practical knowledge of horticulture. Stress is put on the use of natural plant materials and you will find many new uses for plants you already have in your garden.
Ifyou have completed a course number one (beginners) in flower arrangement at the Centre, you are eligible to progress to course number two (intermediate). More experienced arrangers may enroll in course three (advanced).
Courses in all three of these cate gories are upcomingsoon. Here are the dates: course one (beginners), six successive Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am, beginning on Tuesday, May 14, and the same course on six successive Wednesday evenings at 8:00 pm, beginning on Wednesday May 8, the instructors being Mrs. H. L. (Kathy) Cantlon in the mornings and Mrs. W. E. (Betty) Ewens in the evenings: course two (intermediate), six successive Wednesday afternoons at 1:30 pm, beginning on Wednesday, May 15, with Mrs. R. A. (Marea) Lyle, instructor; course three (advanced), four successive Tuesday afternoons at 1:30 pm, beginning on Wednesday, May 14, with Mrs. A. B. (Audrey) Meiklejohn, instructor.
A membership in the Centre ($5, which includes ten issues of Trellis) is a must to be eligible for all courses. Applications are accepted at the Cenire (with fee) on a first come, first served basis. and cost is: course one, six lessons, $12.00; course two, six lessons, $14.50; and course three, four lessons, $12.50. Telephone and make a reservation now, for weeks of fun and new friendships.
"'l can't understand why the tenants below us have complained obout our compost heap there isn't any odour!'' Reprinted with permission from The Toronto Star.
Other holidays repose upon the past, Arbor Day proposes for the future. So said J. Sterling Morton, who first proposed an Arbor Day in the U.S.A. in 1872. Mr. Morton was a newspaper editor from Nebraska City. He was, as well, a farmer, businessman and politician, climaxing his career as secretary of agriculture in U.S. President Grover Cleveland s cabinet. His lifelong urge to plant trees resulted in Arbor Day in the U.S.A. It is also interesting to note that Mr. Morton s son, Joy, founded the well-known Morton Arboretum, at Lisle, Illinois, in 1922.
In Canada, the Canadian chapter of the International Shade Tree Conference has worked on individual arbor day projects during the last decade. Past ISTC international president, Jack Kimmel, director of parks for the City of Toronto, has for many years advocated the adoption of a national arbor day in Canada.
In 1970, for the first time, the American Association of Nurserymen supported the national arbor day project in that country, and also for the first time, the U.S. president formally proclaimed the last Friday in April National Arbor Day for that year. This has been done in each of the subsequent four years by President Nixon.
The main purpose of arbor day, whether on a national or community basis, is to instil in children, the unselfish act of planting a tree, not for themselves, but for other people to enjoy. The obvious side effects of increasing the total number of trees planted, and in preventing or at least decreasing vandalism, need not be stressed.
The first part of the programme can be implemented during the week preceding arbor day that is the last full
And, may | now have the fourth Last Word ?
Art C.
Drysdale,
Editor
week in April. Plantings should take place throughout the municipality in locations adjacent to schools or in nearby city parks, or other public areas. The municipality may supply all ofthe trees, or individual arrangements with private groups or associations might be worked out. Holes for the trees should be dug the day before the planting, and filled with topsoil to be ready for the following day s planting.
The second part of the programme, on arbor day, should involve the children from grades 4, 5 and 6 of nearby (to planting site) schools. The children, having been encouraged to bring cameras, should be informed by short addresses by dignitaries, as to why arbor day is celebrated, and the important role that trees play in the lives of individuals. Some of the points to be covered include, the value of trees in reducing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, and their help in control of temperature and moisture; trees role in prevention of floods; trees retardation of wind and water erosion, and water silting; and their use in muffling noise, particularly near highways, in dense urban situations.
Following this, each class may be led to its individual tree-planting location in the park where parks department staffshould explain the different phases of tree planting. Each student is asked to place some soil around the tree, help water it and encouraged to take a personal interest in the tree as it grows.
After the tree is planted, a tree guard is placed around it and a plaque is mounted on the guard to commemorate the occasion with the name of the tree, the school, and the year.
To close the ceremony, a few remarks are made asking the children to protect young trees everywhere.
22 / April 1974
John Bradshaw s Perfect Lawn Program
March-April
CILGolfgreen 12-4-8
® As soon as snow melts, spread 2 |b./100 sq.ft.
CIL Golfgreen 12-4-8.
e It's balanced the way grass likes it.
e Based on UF nitrogen for safe and long-lasting greenup.
June-late August
CILWeed & Feed 12-4-8
® |f tough weeds are still showing, use CIL Weed & Feed 12-4-8.
® It kills all upright and creeping weeds and feeds the grass.
® |f no weeds are showing use CIL Golfgreen 12-4-8 again.
April-May
CIL Lawn Doctor®12-4-8
e As soon as weeds begin to show but before lilac buds open, spread four-way action
CIL Lawn Doctor® 12-4-8 at 2 Ib./ 100 sq.ft.
e Stops crabgrass, kills all weeds and grubs and feeds the grass safely.
September-October
CILWinterizer®3-6-12
® To condition the lawn, trees and shrubs against winter-kill, snow-mold and bark-split, spread on 21b./100 sq.ft. CIL Winterizer® 3-6-12.
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Now open to serve you with the same quality ¢: : and service as at our other two locations.
North Side of Queensway, just East of Hwy. 421.
