Til" C:;ZGOJ GUNDAY
PORTLAND, '3UNDAY MORNING. IIAIXII 10, lCi:
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Carcfen Contest Among Schoolchildren Holds Interest
Organizations of Businessmen Foster plan to Give City Boys and Girls Opportunity to Test Cultural Meth
ods on Small riots of Land, the Results of Effort to Be Shown fn Contest Exhibit at the Armory in
June; Thousands of Children Have Entered in the Unique Competition. '
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By Marshall X. Dana.
NOT lone sgo I saw a remarkable
view. U was of a tln-cah-llt-ttred
back yard that was dis
solved marveloU8ly Into an or
derly garden of cabbages. and to
matoes, with ornamental vine's crowing;
against , what.had seen ' the- bare- back 1
ol the house. A boy 1! years old haa
dotie the work. The total coat had
been his labor and 80 cents. ,
Then I got to thinking about a trip I
took some time ago. It was a little In
spection tour of the vacant lota of
Portland. The president, of the
woman's club was1 along. We would be
looking down a beautiful street with
. spreading shade ktres and well kept
lawns when suddenly the eye would be
arfested by a lot that looked like a
wart on a graceful hand. The vacant
lot seemed to project itself Into prom
inence Impudently and with an asser
tion beyond that of any of the well
trimmed lawns. ;
- And then, I have been remembering
a window box. And it was high up on
the fourth floor . of the tenement. A
little girl tended It and she was grow
ing a tomato plant whose fruit was a
pride and a prise winner. , She didn't
have a back yard or a vacant lot, but
she had the window box and she was
doing her best to contest with others
more fortunate.
ITotsI Gardenias; Test.
For contest Is the idea of which 1
write. The contest is for the boys and
girls Df Portland. -The work Is being
done through the 62 schools ot the city
and the reports from the principals ahd
. teachers give 'warrant for saying .that
10,000 school children have entered the
garden growing competition ' that will
culminate in a treat city-wide exhibit at
the Armory, Saturday, June IS. .
Each of the schools will be given a
(pace snd each will via with! the other
schools td have the most attractive ex
hibit of the best vegetables, v 'All con
testants will individually enter into the
exhibit of the school he or she attends.
In this way the individual helps support
the school pride and at the same time
the exhibit is individually, considered
in the awarding of the 400 or so prizes
to be given, first, second and third, for
the best radishes, beets, cabbages, peas,
beans and so forth. This plan was sub
mitted ,tp the school board by a com
mittee from the business organisations
of .the city.
Directors Approve Plan.
After it had been thoroughly reviewed
for Its merits by Superintendent Rigler
of the schools and heard In detail by
the-teachers' committee of the school
board, composed of R. L. Babtn and I.
N. I'lelachner, It was , formally ap
proved, and tne superintendent was
asked to recommend it to all schools.
The organizations Interested are: Re-
, ' - ' Photos by courtesy J. B. Pijkington.
Top Oregon Grape, becoming "popular for decorating purposes; Madame
Spupert roses. Oval Sprig of lilac. Bottom Frau Karl Drusch
kl rose. ' : ' '- '
tall Merchants' association, Commercial
club, Progressive Business Men's club,
Rotary club, Realty Board, Ad club, Re
tail Grocers' association, Bankers' asso
ciation.' - . " . '
Already there has been a great amount
of work accomplished. In the lengthen
ing spring days the boys and girls are
plying their' hoes and rakes, have been
watching the first little blades of green
creep up through the brown earth.
. . Interesting Many Children.
If the-purpose of the plan and the
organisation is- fulfilled in Portland
there wllj be 10,000 boys snd girls, the
men and women of tomorrow; who will
understand the true dignity of cultiva
tion of the soil,, who will know the
Joy of making things grow, who will
take lessons' of strength and endurance
and . manliness and womanliness from
the soil, whose- hands have been trained
and whose hearts are right
. The sub-committee on prizes was
made Up of the. chairmen from all the
other committees appointed by the
business organisations. This commit
tee resolved that the school making
tho best general exhibit should receive
a challenge cup worth $35; that the
best garden in any district should be
awarded a first prize of $25, that there
should be a second prize of $15 for the
next best and a prise of $10 for the
next best Awards in this latter In
stance are to be made on a basts, of
neatness and cultivation as well as on
the quality of production.' -
' Prises for Individual Exhibits.
Then there are to be prizes for the
best individual exhibits at the Armory,
and there will be prises valued-in each
instance $6, $3 and $2, for first, second
and third places for the best vegetables.
That no one entering may remain un
noticed for exhibit of merit there will
be an award of a pennant, and for every
one who enters a nicely engraved cer
tificate, for each exhibit not drawing
a special prize.
By bulletin sent from the Office of
Superintendent Rigler the school prin
cipals were, asked to make suggestions
and they have been forthcoming from
0 Of the 62 schools. Each principal
furnishes a list of 10 citizens who will
be asked by the committee to serve in
an advisory capacity for their neighbor
hoods. Labor and Devotion Given.
It will be seen that' the-organization
for a city the size of Portland in
volves a great amount of labor and not
a little devotion. But It Is worth it
From the first President Kerr of the
Oregon Agricultural college, and Direc
tor Hetzel of the extension department
have been t the greatest assistance,
and State Superintendent of Schools I
R. Alderman has given days to the
Portland plan. There Is a plan for the
state of similar nature with an organi
sation of the schools in each county, all
to culminate in a state-wide exhibit
next fall, in connection With the state
fair.
In Portland, when the time comes,
there will be a day of inspection, when
the advisory committees will visit the
gardens of their respective districts and
see how the vegetables are growing. All
Of this Is for the stimulating of earth
education and to prove that city Jboys
and girls can grow gardens just as well
as their country cousins.
imoval the soil may be quickly put intdi
proper condition and be ready to pro
duce another such short season crop.
There should be part of the home garden
therefore that wilLbe reserved for the
constant production of short succession
crops. In this way there is a tendency
toward maximum . production and an
economical use of the soil.
Szerelse Cars la Flan tic?.
'Many hardy vegetables as peas,
spinach, radish, lettuce, can be seeded
In the spring Just as soon as the
ground has been well prepared. This
will usually be from the mldde of
March to the middle of April. The
fclr.d of soil found In the 'home garden
will bo the governing factor as regards
time of early seeding outside of weather
conditions. Tender seeds such as cu
cumbers, beans, sweet corn, cantaloupes
snd winter squash should not be
dropped until the ground Is warmed.
ordinarily about the 1st to the 16th of
My.
To get an eyen germination, important
factors in seed growing will be the
correct depth of sowing and a careful
covering and firming of the seed. Even
furrows will have to be made ana
straight rows will not oaly add vastly
to the appearance of the garden but also
wlU.umakecultiYationeasl?r, Lettuce,
spinach and radish may be covered one
half Inch deep; such small seeds as ear
rots,, parsnips and celery must be but
lightly covered, barely one fourth inch,
while peas, beans, cucumbers and squash
may be sown from one to onend a half
or two Inches.
Firming - tha-soiL slightiy after ' seed
trig will be helpful to rapid geimination.
This can be- done by using a narrow
board placed on the. row which can be
lightly tramped upon. .
Boll Must Be Pertlla.
Vegetables must grow steadily to be
of the best quality and to this end
there must not only be a fine mechanical
condition of the soil but it musfc also
be "rich," L eM contain plenty of avail
able plant food. There Is not much
danger of having the soil over fertilised
for vegetable growing except possibly In
one or two cases where there may be
trouble experienced in some plants mak
ing too much vine growth at the expense
of fruit as is sometimes round in to
mato growing. '
Oregon garden soils are for the most
part : naturally very productive but
some form, of fertilization will have to
be used to keep up the supply or plant
food which Is constantly being drained.
There Is no better general fertilizer
than short well rotted stable manure.
Chicken manure is valuable in giving
a stimulating effect to vegetable crops,
out it must be used carefully, other
wise owing to its concentrated form it
will cause a burning of the plants. It
would be well to dilute with soil or
well rotted stable manure In the pro
poitlon of two parts of the former to
one part of the -chicken manure and
then apply ' the" mixture sparingly.
Leaves are valuable for the garden In
furnishing bumus or organio matter.
Wood ashes-ahould. also applied in the
spring working, providing potash In
the soil. ' Lime is valuable for its physical-
assistance to the soil as well as
being more or less of a deterrent of
some insect pests and also making the
soil "sweet." .
Saadle Manure Intelligently.
Just previous to working over the
garden In the spring the manure should
be evenly spread over the ground and
then thoroughly Incorporated with the
soil by being deeply spaded or plowed
in. There Is great danger of of long,
strawy, coarse manure having more of
an Injurious rather than a beneficial
effect especially - if It is but poorly
Incorporated, in that It will often act as
a barrier to proper capiillary action and
cause rapid moisture evaporation.
If it is desired to give the plants an
Impetus, chicken manure can be applied
as suggested above, or a light applica
tion of a commercial fertilizer, as
nitrate of soda, may be made. It will
be found quite valuable- In causing
plants to make a quick leaf growth and
therefore. 1s useful for lettuce, spinach,
celer:, young beets, early rhubarb and
asparagus, But a small handful is
sufficient for each Individual plant The
fertilizer is very readily soluble and
should be used sparingly and carefully.
In such a way as to prevent the salt
from coming into direct contact with
any part of the plant as burning may
follow. r i ' f .
. Tricks la Transplanting.
It Is most Important to compact the
soli thoroughly around the ' roots" o'f
each plant that Is set in the field. Fol
lowing: this some loose -soil should be
drawn over to prevent rapid moisture
evaporation.: Tomatoes should be set
four feet apart each way, or If the
plants are to be trained to Stakes and
pruned, they may stand two feet apart
in rows four feet apart. Celery should
bei transplanted six Inches apart in
the row, with a distance ef SO Inches
between the rows. Great care should be
taken In transferring celery plants from
the frames to the field to see that they
do not dry out or wither. . If the soil at
time of setting is inclined ' to fie rather
dry the plants should, be well watered at
planting time, a layer of lodse dry soil
being brought up to the plants soon
afterward. Level transplanting should
always be Spplied'ln growing, the early
celery to be later bleached with boards.
The tomato plants will be very easily
handled In transplanting If- they 'have
been grown In the paper, or cardboard
pots or strawberry boxes.; .
Making New Lawns
Care in Getting Grass Started
Bight Insures' Splendid Be
suits Every Time.
- The fact must be faced that making
i good .lawn Is not a simple matter.
Realizing this truth, one is more likely
to go about the work of preparing and
seeding the ground with a degree of
careful sttention that will bring Its re
ward in rine. green, velvety urr. a
carelessly made one quickly runs out.
It is of the greatest Importance that
the ground should be thoroughly pul
verized made Just as. fine ss plowing
and spading, dragging and raking' can
make It. The surface soil should be
loosened for a depth of five or six
Inches; snd if there Is a hard subsoil,
it should be broken up, but not brought
to the surfnc. Sometime, when a new i
house Is erected, the toil etcvatf-i for
the cellar is scattered over the ground.
To try to grow a lawn In such soil
la to waste bo'h time and money.
Early spring is the beat, time for
sowing seed. In any case, a still day
Bhould be chosen, and It is a fact worth
remembering that the stillest part of
the day is between 5 and o'clock in
the morning.
It is best for the average man to pur
chase one of the prepared lawn mixtures,
telling his seedman whether his land Is
exposed to full sunshine, or partly shad
ed. There are different mixtures for
different situations. If the land Is
poor, a generous application of feiti
User may be given, using one of the
lawn and garden brands, and raking It
.well Into the earth before the seed is
sown. Another plan is to scatter pul
verized manure over the lawn, as soon
as the grass Is well up. A little feeding
will be needed each year; but barn
yard manure should be avoided. It Is
slmost sure to be full of weed seeds,
and to make no end of trouble for the
gardener. Sheep manure and the com
mercial fertilizers are much better. An
application-of hardwood ashes la also
beneficial. If given In the spring, as It
tends to Impart a lustrous green to the
lawn. ::'
Most established lawns require a lit
tle mending each spring, where bare
patches appear. The beet method Is to
rake over these patches, and to mix a
little b- d-st Into t -'
or two later. ar.it-:r i; : v
the rak may h given, a ,1 i- I ?
tfre1 thickly, choosing s. v- h !. i. - ;
Wee Is u!ially lndu ate in : - ' . v k.
so that fertilizers shou'd h ; ,
and more sed sown, in be s;-i !:
Dandelion and dock may bo d.if? out ia
the fall.
Gfte Rose Tlenty of Water.
Roues are thirsty plants. They need
a lot of water, but you will not need to
carry it slL Cultivate the ground
around the plants, inatead. Cultivation
forms a dust mulch, which keps the
waterin 'the ground." where "the roots"
can get It If the surface of the ground
is allowed to become baked hard in the
sun, the soil moisture is lost by evap
oration. Loose, finely pulverized earth
checks etaporaflon. Water must be
given, and given freely; but cultivation
Is Just as necessary. When you give
water, put It on by the gallon. Tou
waste your time, otherwise. Make
little barricade of earth, so that the
water will not run off, but sink Into
the ground. And ss soon as the ground
Is dry, stir the surface with the hoe.
Really, It is worth while to feed and
water your roses faithfully.
Tho good farm paper Is a much more
desirous companion for the farm boy
than a yellow back novel.
f HIGHEST QUALT
Economy in Seed Buying Is
Extravagance
Good Seed Foundation of Good Crops
Vigorously Growing rianfs Can Only Come From Seed Grown Under
Proper Conditions; Cultivation Adds Greatly to Results, if Done
in an intelligent and Scientific Manner.
By Professor Arthur O. B. Bouquet,
; Oregon Agricultural Cofiege.
The foundation of good crops i good
peed. The questions very often arise
with the amateur gardener, "What do
you call good seed?" "Where can i buy
It so as to be reasonably sure of Its
reliability?" Good seed should be not
only vital, or having life, but viable, or
able to grow. It should be reasonably
clean, free from foreign matter, plump,
well filled, able to germinate readily
under proper conditions and 'produce
strong plants that are true to the type
or variety represented. There Is such a
large number of seedsmen In the coun
try that there must be much hesitancy
, in deciding to whom to mall the seed
order. It will always-pay to get the
best seed regardless of price. This will
be necessary to avoid delay and dlsap-
puimment.tn getting-resaitr tram prop
er seeding. . " -
Vegetable seed, except in a few cases,
is inexpensive but there are grades of
eed, some of which will not produce the
Uesjred end of . vigorously growing
plantB. Most of our large seed firms are
as careful and' courteous In filling a
all seed' wrder ss trtarge1 mv Bnd"it"1t
fsrjwlser mnden nvsst circumstances td
De.uppueu ny seedsmen , wtio have a
reputation for the reliability of their
'tocjf than by purchasing the so-called
ready packets offered for 'sate with at
tractive colors on the envelope. As a
role experience will go a longway in
tetermlntng the source of supply. East
ern stock from dependable firms has
been usually quite satisfactory under
our conditions, while Oregon grown
seeds have already proved their worth
In many. Instances,
-jL r- careful Tillage sentisi.T -Having
purchased reliable stock, the
next Important detail Is to provide a
soil bed that will be conducive to the
ready germination of the seed and the
vigorous growth of the plants. The
working of the soil before Beed sowing
In the garden represents the highest
type of soil tilth. The successful vege
table grower knows that there is no
time Bpent idly 1ii his extra efforts' Jo
put the land in the best poasible-phya-lcal
condition.
Vegetable seeds are small ahd in order
to have them germinate evenly In the
Beed bed, thereby, producing a uniform
BtaBAof--plantar thMKll must - be
smooth, fine, loose, free from coarBe
material such as rocks, sticks, large
tetofls," strawy 1 mailer, etc. ' such a BolTftTi
can only be obtained by diligent work
in . pulverising thoroughly and after
wards raking well. In home gardens In
various localities there is bound to bs a
" . - c. - '
very wide range in the makeup of
soils. Borne will be largely composed of
clay"wlth- but little sand."" There are
heavy garden soils and it will be neces
sary to spend considerable time in pul
verizing these in order to get them fine.
Other soils will be more largely com
posed of sand and will be much, easier
to bandle In the preparation of a seed
bed." The physical makeup of the soil
will determine very largely the proper
time st which to do the first early stir"
ring In the spring.
' Not only will the thorough prepara
tion of the soil be an aid to even ger
mination, but it will greatly facilitate
the work of cultivating Irfter on. The
deeper the soil is worked In the spring
the better soil aeration there will be
and greater -chance for morevigorous
plant growth- and-saving of soil . mois
ture. Frequent use of the rake should
be made in removing coarse matter and
In smoothing over in the final prepara
tion of the seed bed.
" tystsmatlo Arrangement Xssy.
It will be found to be not only eco
nomical, of space but also labor saving,
to say nothing of proper appearance, it
some .systematia arrangement is-'-made
for the location of the crops In the
garden. Those vegetables! requiring a
long , growing season should be la a
place by themselves; similarly, those
maturing quickly , by themselves. In
thntway-the'former r varieties will re-
main undisturbed until maturity whilst
the latter will be quickly harvested snd
otina resecaea to una
Squash, cucumbers and tomatoes, for
example, will occupy space near each
other, w,hlle lettuce, spinach and radish
will bs floated so Uiat upon ilieif re
liant Study Profitable.
The most successful gardeners study
plants. In addition to the Information
from books and papers which contain In
formation other people have collected,
study the plants themselves. When both
sources of information are used one Is
spt to become aood gardener.' v
Prune Berry Vines.
It will pay you well to remove rasp
berry and blackberry canes soon after
bearing, for they draw from the roots
some of the sop that should go to the
new canes. -Whenever the old canes are
cut, the new ones make a more vigorous
growth, are In better condition to go
through the winter, and bear a large
Crop the following year.
Invest a little more at planting time for "high quality"
seeds and get satisfactory esult. Remember, it takes
as much labor and expense to plant and cultivate a gar
den grown from cheap seeds as it does from good seeds.
Therefore, always buy the best and be assured of choice
flowers and vegetables of mejit.' - , : .
The Experienced and Success
ful Gardener
Knows the importance of planting true, pure seed of
"highest quality," but there are hundreds of amateurs
who do not give this most important matter consideration
and then" wonder why results are unsatisfactory." "
Routledge's Seeds. Plants and
i '-.'"' Trees ;v:':-;;:--.
Are produced by the best and most reliable growers in
America and Europe. We go after the "highest quality"
price is a secondary consideration. Therefore we get
the best. If you want a "prize garden" this year, plant
RbutledgeV4'highest quality" Seeds and" Piantsr'bur
rapidly increasing trade proves that our customers are
getting satisfaction.
Therefore When You Want
Fruit, Shade ahd Ornamental Trees or Shrubs, Rose
Bushes, Bulbs or Plants, Spray Pumps, Sprays, Pruning
or Garden Tools, Fertilizers, Incubators, Brooders, Fancy
Poultry, Poultry Foods or Supplies. Phone or call on
Routledge Seed and
Floral Company
SEED STORE 169 SECOND STREET
Between Morrison and Yamhill
CITY TREE YARD
Corner Fourth and Madison
Clean Up the Yard,
Clean up all the rubbish about your
yard. What matter that will not decay
cart away or burn. to not let rubbish
fay around the grounds. It makes a
breeding place for pests as well as has
an unsightly appearance.
; Shaping the fruit Tree. k.
-The' fruit tes-setlast-sprlng-s will
need some attention all the season. Only
a little pruning Is necessary. Keep in
mind, as the ideal tree; the one with
the low head and vase form with open
center. . . .
If cabbages ripen too fast and threat
en to burst give the more 'mature heads
a hBlf twlst'wllhuut TJUlllng'thenvoul
of the ground. .
The tools we borrow are our guests',
and wi should treat them accordingly,
KILL
'EM
OFF
With one of our Faultless Sprayers Cost little," save much.
If you have too many to kill off with a Faultless we will be
glad to sell you something in a larger Spray Pump, for we
have a full stock of Myers goods always on hand.
Planet, Jr., Garden Tools
Make gardening easier and
and more profitable, ' and
Meadow's Junior Power
Washers take the wash day
burden from the woman's
, shoulders.
u
YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THESE MONEY
AND TIMlvSAVING ARTICLES. IF YOU CANT
, CALL, WRITE FOR CATALOGUE X 12.
VEHICLES
IMPLEMENTS
EAST SECOND
and MORRISON STS.
-POIiTLAnD,OIU-