Garden Drainage

By Scott Edward

If you have taken over a new site and form of drainage is definitely needed, will at least provide an excellent opportunity to get rid of any builder's which you have inherited. Broken lumps of concrete should be used the bottom of drainage pits or trenches. The drainage systems is also useful to take the iorterflow and occasional outlet from a small garden pond.

Many waste materials can go on to the compost heap, from kitchen waste such as lettuce leaves and vegetable peelings to grass cuttings, dead leaves and straw- but diseased plant roots, perennial weeds or woody stems should always be burnt. The successful decomposition of this waste material depends on air, water and the action of bacteria. The bacteria depend on nitrogen for food and the rate of decay can be accelerated by sprinkling the heap with a nitrogenous fertilizer such as sulphate of ammonia or by spreading a layer of farmyard manure over it.

The water table generally rises and fa following wet and dry periods. If it star, at about 900 mm (3 ft) below ground le-. it can he an asset, since water will - available to the deeper plant roots. Ho ever extreme fluctuations in the water tai are a great danger: if it rises in winter: roots of plants are killed through saturatic and if it falls in the summer the pla suffer from drought. On low-lying grout if there is perpetual standing water (usua in winter), this might mean that the war table has risen above ground level and drainage system will relieve it.

Compost can be regarded as sufficiently decayed when the individual components can no longer be distinguished. It should be a crumbly, manure-like mass, dark in colour; if the texture is slimy the heap has not been made up correctly. In warm weather, and given the right conditions, the waste will take only about two to three months to decay but in winter you can expect it to take about four to six months. Artificial or inorganic fertilizers are concentrated chemical salts from natural underground deposits. They are available in liquid or powder form and supply essential foods direct to the plants, acting quickly when applied to moist soils; it is important to use the exact quantity stated and to distribute it as evenly as possible, as overdoses can be harmful. Fertilizers are available containing individual chemi- cals or you can buy a general one which combines the three main nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

This channel should obviously run to some form of outlet such as a soakawayon no account allow your excess water to drain on to neighbours' property. The disadvantage of a rubble drain is that it becomes blocked comparatively quickly as soil leaches through from above.

If you have space, a double compost bin allows one heap to decompose thoroughly while another is being started.

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Good garden drainage system is important in garden planning to have a thriving garden.

Ginger

By John Piano

Ginger, with its tall leafy stems up to 1.2 m (4 ft) high, somewhat resembles a reed. The flower stems are about 25 cm (10 in) tall.

The flowers are large and coloured pale green; each opens for a single day and can be pollinated by one kind of bee found only in Mexico. Thanks to this small bee, Mexico maintained its monopoly on the export of vanilla for 300 years up until the 19th century. It was known to the Aztecs, who used it to flavour cocoa long before the discovery of America by Europeans.

This perennial plant, native to tropical Asia, was known in ancient China and India and is referred to in Sanskrit as `sringavere'. Ginger was shipped from its original home to southern Europe by Arabian merchants before the Christian era. It occurs frequently on the pages of the 3rd-century Roman cookbook 'De re coquinaria' written by Apicius Caelius.

First of all they are scalded briefly with hot water and then submitted to the lengthy process of wilting and drying, during which they turn a dark colour and acquire their characteristic aroma. Good quality vanilla is supple and small crystals of fragrant vanillin are visible on the surface. Vanilla must be stored in an air-tight wrapper or container to preserve its aroma.

It is presumed that the original grape vine growing in the forests of Caucasia was a dioccious plant. The evolution of the present-day varieties traces its beginnings to the late Stone Age, when man learned to till land and began cultivating the grape vine. Long-term breeding and selection has produced a great many varieties differing not only in the colour, size and shape of the fruit, but also in flavour and aroma.

Ginger is propagated by vegetative means, by cutting the rootstock into pieces and planting these out in light and moisture-retaining soil. It is harvested (ploughed up) 6 to 12 months later

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You can grow various range of vegetables and herbs can be grown in garden beds.

White Dogwood

By Mark Carlson

Alpenrose is a densely branched, evergreen shrub growing to a height of 0.4-1 m. The glowing flowers appear in June and July. The capsules ripen and split at the end of September.

This shrub is a native of the Alps, mainly the eastern part, its range extending westward only to Switzerland. It grows from 1200-2500 m in open woodlands and the dwarf pine belt. It is more plentiful on limestone and dolomite slopes. It is a popular shrub for rock gardens, parks and gardens. Also found in the Alps is the closely related species Rhododendron ferrugineum L., which grows farther west, to the French Alps and the Pyrenees, and unlike R. hirsutum has no preference for calcareous soils, growing above the tree line in stands of dwarf pine on siliceous soil. It attains a height of 1 m; the leaves are densely covered with rust-coloured hairs below and the flowers are a darker, pinkish red.

When planted in gardens both these rhododendrons should be provided with a moist soil rich in humus. The large-flowered and taller species, 2-4 m high, developed by the crossing of American and Chinese rhododendrons, are generally cultivated in parks and gardens.

The red dogwood is a shrub growing to a height of 3-5 m. One-year shoots are purplish-red on the side exposed to the sun and green on the shaded side. The buds are flat and appressed. The white flowers appear at the end of May and the fruits ripen in September. It sprouts freely from stumps and roots. It is best propagated by means of seeds; these, however, do not germinate until the spring of the second year.

This species is widespread in southern, central, western and eastern Europe, extending north to the Baltic Sea. It thrives well on rich, calcareous soils and is most abundant in lowlands in the valleys of rivers and streams though it is also found in the foothills up to heights of 600-700 m. It appears to thrive quite well even in drier soils as evidenced by its occurrence in drier situations in oak stands. A shade-tolerant species, it is found not only on the edges of woods and in hedgerows, but also in mixed broadleaved woods.

It is readily propagated by means of seeds and winter cuttings. Because it stands up well to clipping, L. vulgare is a popular plant for hedges growing up to 2 m high, but, once widely used, has now been almost completely replaced for this purpose by the Japanese privet, L. oz;alifolium. In parks it is planted in shrubbery borders and as a shrub layer beneath groups of trees.

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In garden planning, where the garden roof is strong enough to support the weight of topsoil and underlying drainage, the sight of a lawn outside the living room in a modern apartment can be very striking.

Fruits and Seeds

By James Masonry

After fertilization the ovary ripens into the fruit, its outer layer forming the wall or pericarp with one or more seeds inside. The seed is the fertilized ripened ovule and consists of the embryo and nutritive tissue enclosed in a hard cover.

The fruits of deciduous plants are either true fruits, i.e. merely the ripened ovary, or are accessory fruits, developed from the ovary plus other parts of the flower (stem, petals). Included in the latter group are the pome, the hip, raspberry Fruits are furthermore divided, according to whether they have a dry or soft pericarp, into dry fruits (samara, nut, legume, Miele, capsule) and fleshy fruits (berries, drupes). The samara is a dry, usually one-seeded fruit, shed in its entirety, with thin, membranous to leathery pericarp; often it is winged.

Barren flowers lack functional sexual organs altogether. Examples are the snowball tree and some kinds of hydrangea.

Shrubs growing beneath trees have very poor chances of being pollinated by the wind and are usually pollinated by insects. Their flowers therefore often have bright colours and strong fragrance in order to attract insects.

Fleshy fruits do not split when ripe but drop from the parent plant in their entirety or else break up into parts with enclosed seeds. One such fruit is the drupe, which has a pericarp consisting of three layers, namely the thin epicarp or outer layer, fleshy mesocarp or middle layer and hard bony endocarp or inner layer that is the stone, usually encasing a single seed. Examples are the blackthorn, English holly, cornelian cherry, dogwood, etc.

A flower is composed of the following parts: calyx - the external, usually green leafy part; corolla - the inner floral envelope consisting of petals, usually brightly coloured stamens - consisting of anthers and filaments; when ripe, the anthers burst and release the microscopic pollen grains that look like yellow powder; pistil - the ovule-bearing organ deriving from the fusion of one or several carpels; it comprises the ovary containing ovules and a style bearing a sticky or hairy stigma to which the pollen grains adhere and grow downward to the ovary.

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In garden planning, flints are often used as a strong decorative surface on a mortared rubble core in the garden.

L'Arcure Method of Apple Training

By Slyvia Oliver

The spindle bush is a method of growing apples which was first seen in Holland and which has since been adopted on one or two fruit farms in Great Britain. Trees on the M.IX stock are bought for planting in rows 13 feet apart, allowing 6 feet apart in the rows. One-year-old trees, or maidens, are planted in November, which in late February are cut back to within 2 feet of soil level just above a bud. The leader that developed from this bud is then pruned back by half each season until the tree reaches a height of 7 feet. After that, the leaders which develop are cut back in May quite hard.

These trees were first of all produced by Jack Matthews of Suffolk, but they are now available from most nurserymen. The Family tree is a collection of varieties grafted on to one tree, all of which have been carefully chosen to cross-pollinate each other, as well as to ensure that the tree growth is as evenly balanced as possible. Thus someone with a very tiny garden can plant one tree, knowing that it will bear three different kinds of apples.

Oblique Cordons can be vertical also, of course.] They are bought budded or grafted on to the M.IX stock and care being taken when planting to keep the union of the scion 3 inches above ground level.

At Thaxted we have found it necessary to use concrete posts 12 feet apart and to train parallel wires between these posts 2 feet apart from one another, the first wire being 2 feet 6 inches from soil level.

Belle De Boskoop is a heavy cropper, fruit round, yellowish skin through grey-russet, slightly scarlet flush. When peeled smells aromatic. Season Oct.-Mar. Resistant to scab.

Blenheim Orangs is a delicious apple that unfortunately takes years to come into cropping unless worked on M.IX stock. Fruits large, skin dull yellow with slight flush on one side, has lovely nutty flavour. Season Nov.-Dec. Susceptible to scab but resistant to mildew. Bowden's Seedling is probably a seedling from Jonathan and is in fact very much like it, but of better quality. A tall oval apple, pale yellow skin, covered with a scarlet flush, makes the apple almost red. Season Nov.-Dec. Resistant to scab, but very susceptible to mildew.

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Should your fruit tree garden be subject to frost, choose varieties which flower late.

Italian and French Renaissance Garden

By Christina Courtney

Very little development in gardens took place in Europe for several centuries following the end of the Roman Empire. It is thought that knowledge of horticulture virtually died out and only those plants which managed to naturalize themselves survived. However it is known that leeks, cabbages and dried beans and peas formed some sort of subsistence diet throughout this time.

Enclosed gardens gradually reappeared on a small scale at the end of the Dark Ages, within the confines of monasteries and fortified buildings. The monasteries were laid out on a Roman court and cloister plan and inside the court monks cultivated medicinal plants, herbs and some vegetables. The beds were divided by straight paths and there was sometimes a fish pond too. Within castle walls the ladies also began to grow herbs for medicinal and culinary use, with the occasional raised bed for flowers where space allowed.

The Greeks discovered the delights of Persian culture, including their paradise gardens, when they were waging war in Asia during the third century BC. During the first century BC we also hear of influential Greeks having vegetables planted in their gardens, to furnish their tables. Homer wrote of Alcinous' large walled garden which grew vegetables, including beans, with an orchard of apple, pear and fig trees.

The Romans put into practice what the Greeks wrote but the Roman garden was brought into the centre of the house, becoming an even more important part Of domestic life. We know of the ground pattern of early Roman town houses from excavations at Pompeii and villas elsewhere, and of their garden design from the letters of Pliny the younger.

Parterres were both larger in scale and more intricate in detail than earlier knot gardens. Another distinctive characteristic was the hedge- lined avenues which fanned out through the surrounding forest known as patter d'oi (goose feet). Le I\16tre was appointed royal gardener to Louis XIV and the garden at Versailles is probably his best known creation. In concept it was a vast outdoor drawing room, intended for the entertainment of a court of thousands.

Though most of Le Mitre's gardens were unashamedly for show they were still not places for colour or floral display; canalized and playing water, clipped and trained vegetation, statuary and the elaborate parterres provided the visual interest, along with the people walking about in them. This stylized layout, originally designed for large chateaux, was adapted to the quite humble manor house. Like the grand Italian gardens, as they became out of scale with the use of the individual, a smaller secret garden had to be created within them for family use.

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Growing herbs in your kitchen garden can gives you herbs to use in your cooking and cut cost on buying herbs from the supermarket.

The Online Movie Connection

By James Maron

It wasn't that long ago that a trip to the corner video shop was the most convenient way to get a movie. You can now save a trip to the video store and download movies right off the internet. Here are some examples of movies you can acquire through a movie download site.

Demolition Man: This futuristic sci-fi pits two violent men from the past brought from suspended animation into a nonviolent and crime free society. Simon Phoenix, a violent man who has be in deep freeze for years is thawed, and freed on parole. When he goes back to his violent ways, the police of the future are unable to capture him. They thaw John Spartan, the man who caught Simon the first time and ask him to bring Simon in.

Iron Man: Weapons expert Tony Stark is injured and the captured by a rebel for while overseas doing weapons testing. The rebels are demanding he builds them a powerful weapon. To save his life, and escape his captors, he instead builds himself a suit of armor, which makes him powerful, and impervious to attacks. He escapes his captors, and Iron Man is born.

Mamma Mia: Sophie is about to get married. Her single mom has invited her two best lifelong friends to the wedding. Sophie has invited three men from her mothers past, hoping to find her father, and have him walk her down the aisle. Old romances are reborn during the chaotic day before the wedding.

Marley and Me: Johnny and Jenny Grogen have moved to Florida to start their new life together. Jenny is ready for children, but John isn't so sure. Instead, he gets her a puppy, Marley. Marley turns out to quite a bit to handle.

The Bodyguard: Pop star Rachel Marron has been receiving threatening letters. They hire former secret service agent Frank Farmer. He is immediately disliked when he tries to tighten down security. Eventually the killer starts closing in, and Frank has been right all along.

Kung Fu Panda: Po the Panda live in a dream world, dreaming of being a Kung Fu master. Asked to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po will realize his dream and train with the masters to become a Kung Fu hero. He is then test to the fullest when he must defend everyone from the treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung.

Wanted: A young office worker is torn from his boring life and thrown into a very different world. He is offered to follow in his fathers footsteps, and join a secret league of assassins. He is then trained to kill, and carry out the assignments that are handed down.

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle: Appearing out of nowhere, and seemingly the perfect nanny, Peyton Flanders is really someone very different. Hired to care for the Bartels new child, she is really out for revenge. Will the Bartels figure out their predicament before its too late?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Benjamin Button has a very strange life. He is born an old man, and grows younger as he ages. Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin Button.

We all have used the internet for music purchases for some time now. Downloading movies from movie download sites is now seeing the same type of growth. With a quick online search you will have no trouble finding out about various movie download sites.

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'while we started to create the first outline of the script, we imagined only of kathleen as the storyteller,' affirms co-author angeli. Downloadable Gba Games His mind is full of insane opinions in reference to what he should do. A misconception that individuals commonly harbor is that performing.

Growing Miniature Orchids

By Kate Simunek

In temperate regions of the world, orchids that are normally grown indoors or under glass can be placed outside for the summer growing season. A carefully chosen position will provide your plants with conditions that are nearer to those of their natural habitat.

One successful method of growing miniature orchids is to enclose them in a growing case. An old aquarium used for tropical fish is ideal, and these can often be picked up very cheaply if they are no longer watertight. First establish whether or not there are any leaks around the base; if there are, fit a humidity tray into the base.

The exceptions are the coolgrowing varieties among the pleiones. These plants always do better in a cooler environment for the summer, and any spotting of their foliage usually comes late, at the season's end, just before the leaves turn brown and are shed.

During the summer, the aquarium can be left open at the top; close it down only when warmth needs to be conserved. By setting up a horticultural fluorescent light tube above the plants, it is possible to place the aquarium in an unlit corner that would otherwise be unsuitable for growing orchids. This idea can be adapted to a smaller or larger degree.

If you do not stand the plant on a damp base, you will need to remove it for watering and replace it after the pot has drained. The flowers of some orchids can also be highly scented, which adds immeasurably to their overall appeal.

Those orchids termed warm-growing include the shade-loving phalaenopsis and a number of the paphiopedilums. Generally, none of these is suitable for outdoor growing, except in the tropics. The temperatures at night are too cold for much of the summer, and the lush foliage of phalaenopsis will suffer from the elements, causing premature leafloss and the death of the plant in extreme cases. The paphiopedilums are altogether too soft-leafed to cope with outdoor conditions, and it becomes impossible to keep the centre of their growths from filling with water when it rains. In a short time this can result in rot to the centre of the growth.

It blooms during the autumn and is highly fragrant at night. Well-chosen colour combinations can create beautiful effects, as is shown by this display of pale pink Phalaenopsis schilleriana and the deep pink P. Mad Milva. Orchids can be displayed in most rooms in the house.

The pale lemon Phalaenopsis Barbara Moler x Spitzberg looks perfect in a blue bathroom. A Phalaenopsis Mad Milva will do well as the centrepiece of an orchid display, provided it is kept out of direct sunlight. The flowers are delightful with cerise pink petals and sepals, with a darker pink lip.

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Garden Orchids suitable for growing in a small growing case are Coelogyne corymbosa, Cirrhopetalum guttulatum, Dendrobium cuthbertsonii, Encyclia polybulbon, and Ludisia discolor.

Fruits and Seeds

By James Morris

Dispersal of tree seeds by water, as in the case of certain water plants, occurs less frequently. Of the European trees the older is one whose seeds are dispersed by water as well as by the wind, and of the tropical species the coconut palm is a noteworthy example.

Simultaneously, however, there are great losses both of the seeds and the young plants. Large quantities of seeds are eaten by birds and animals and many fall in places unsuitable for growth where they either do not germinate at all or die shortly after germinating, having used up the store of food in the seed. Similarly, many young trees are destroyed in their first years by drought, frost, invading grass or other plants, or by animals that feed on them. Of the huge crop of seeds, all that usually remains within a few years is less than one per cent per hectare.

In most conifers the seeds are contained in a cone consisting of carpels attached to a central axis that becomes woody.

A third group is formed by seeds which are themselves food for birds and mammals (oak, beech, walnut) and even though most are eaten, some are way. One would think that seed dispersal by animals is less effect ive than by wind, but the history of tree migration in the wake if retreating ice sheet in the period following the Ice Age gives evidence to the contrary.

True fruits are further divided into dry and fleshy fruits. Dry fruits with a dry and hard outer wall are Samara - usually a winged, one-seeded fruit with thin, membranous to leathery coat (birch, elm, ash). Dry fruits includes nut - a one-seeded fruit with hard, woody wall not connected with the seed (hazel, lime, hornbeam); Legume - usually the product of two carpels splitting along two lines of suture when ripe and containing several seeds; characteristic of most members of the family Leguminosae; Capsule - a single or several valved fruit splitting in various ways when ripe and containing several seeds (poplar, willow, chestnut).

On the other hand, shade-tolerant trees such as beech and oak, whose offspring can thrive in shade and appreciate the protection of the surrounding forest in their first years, have heavier seeds that do not fall far.

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Garden planning design should be fairly detailed and specific and include an indication of the type of planting envisaged in the different garden beds.

Common Oak and Durmast Oak

By Lauren Elizabeth

The red oak is a native of North America, where it grows in mixed stands, with other broad-leaved woody plants, from the 35th parallel northward to Canada. It is a robust tree, reaching a height of 35 metres. When grown in the open, it develops a broad cro,A1 with strong branches. The bark remains smooth and grey-green until an advanced age. The lobed leaves turn dark red in autumn, hence its name. The acorns mature in the autumn of the second year. They are not as popular a food with forest animals as other acorns, because of the sharp point at their tip.

The red oak grows faster than European oaks when young, and gives greater yields of timber per hectare. It has more moderate requirements as to soil conditions and grows well on acid soils, but should not be planted in water-logged soils.

Because of its characteristics, it is sometimes planted in Europe for forestry purposes and is also a very popular ornamental for parks and gardens. It is more shade-tolerant than European oaks. The timber is heavy, with red-brown heartwood, and is used for the same purpose as European oaks, though its quality is not as good.

The common oak grows mainly in moist bottomlands; it is the principal tree of lowland forests, where it occurs together with the elm, ash, hornbeam and lime. It grows at elevations up to 500 metres, provided that there is adequate moisture. It has a vast and deep root system and produces vigorous stump suckers when felled. The heavy, hard wood is used to make furniture.

Much like the common oak, the durmast oak tends to be somewhat smaller with a narrower crown. It has a similar range, but does not extend as far cast to regions with severe winters. Unlike the common oak it is a tree of the hills and is found at elevations up to 700 metres. It does not require soil as rich as the common oak, and even tolerates stony, acid soils. However, it requires plenty of light to thrive well. The durmast oak reaches a height of 30 to 40 metres, and its trunk is straighter than, but not as thick as, that of the common oak. The flowers, appearing 10 to 14 days later than those of the common oak, resemble them, but the female flowers, unlike those of its relative, are pressed close to the twig. The mature acorns are borne on very short stalks close to the twig.

The timber, with pale-brown heartwood, is not as highly prized as that of the smooth-leaved elm, and so this tree is hardly ever planted for forestry purposes.

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In garden planning, a well designed structure to enclose and screen the compost heap should harmonize with the natural envoronment in your garden.

Structure of the Leaves

By Jamie Rainbows

The leaf base may be cuneate (triangular) (durmast oak), rounded (common pear), cordate (heart-shaped) (lime tree) or auriculate (eared) (English oak) and the apex acute (birch), acuminate (slender-pointed) (black poplar), rounded (aspen) or truncate (blunt-ended) (black alder). The leaf, margin may be either entire (false acacia, magnolia), serrate (cherry, bird cherry), doubly serrate (hornbeam, grey alder), dentate (crack willow), or lobed (oaks).

Between the xylem and the phloem, there is a thin layer, called the cambium, consisting of several layers of thin-walled cells which, during the growth period, rapidly divide to form new wood on the inside and new phloem on the outside.

To be able to bear the weight of the snow and survive frost and lack of water, the leaves have a different shape and structure. Most of their cells are thick- walled and their surface is often protected by a waxy layer.

Most European broad-leaved trees are deciduous, in other words, they shed their leaves in the autumn. Only in southern, and in temperate parts of western Europe do some trees retain their leaves throughout the winter, e.g. the common holly, the laurel and the box. In the autumn the organic substances produced by the leaves are concentrated in the body of the tree and the leaves begin to change colour as a result of the decomposition of the chlorophyll and growing predominance of the red and yellow carotenoid pigments, along with the increase of anthocyanin in the cellular sap.

This autumnal coloration is characteristic of many species of trees, e.g. the leaves of poplar, birch and common ash turn yellow, the beech turns orange-brown, the red oak and wild service tree turn dull red and the staghorn sumach red or yellow-red. A corky layer forms between the leaf stalk and the twig, severing the connecting tissues.

The process is slow and gradual, and the tree sappears unchanged. Only the amount of needles on the ground beneath i serves as an indication of its shedding rate.

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Where appropriate, a traditional style of garden planning can be used in your garden.

How to Grow Herbs

By Jesse Charlotte

In Europe people still use imported dried herbs and spices far more often than fresh herbs. This is perhaps due to the once prevalent convention that the extravagant use of pepper, saffron and other costly spices from the East is the mark of a lavish cuisine and a high-class upbringing. However, home-grown herbs can substitute some of those imported from the Orient. All you need is a small space in the garden about 2 m (6 ft) square, but even without a garden herbs can be grown in pots on the windowsill.

Every soil, even the best, deteriorates after a time for its fertility is depleted by the growth of the plants. Extra nutrients should therefore be provided every year or so by applying a proprietary balanced fertilizer. Take care not to overdo it, however, for generous feeding will lead to lush growth at the cost of development of flavour and aroma. One more thing - most herbs are lime-loving plants and if the soil is deficient in lime, this, too, should be added by digging it into the soil in the winter. Do not, however, apply lime and well-rotted manure or compost at the same time. Most herbs are propagated from seed. In the case of annual and biennial herbs this is the only possible method. Seeds are usually sown in spring, after all danger of frost is past, either directly in the ground where they are to grow (the seedlings are then thinned to the required spacing) or in trays or pots.

As herbs do not need to be grown in large quantities there is no need to have more than two or three plants of each species. The selection is wide and so the choice is up to you - choose what you want according to your own tastes and needs. Every collection, however, should include such herbs as chives, chervil, southernwood, tarragon, hyssop, lovage, marjoram, basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, savory and sage. However one can just as well grow all species of onion, celery, chamomile, wormwood, marigold, sweet pepper, caraway, costmary, coriander, rocket, fennel, lavender, garden cress, mint, watercress, nigella, poppy, purslane, radish, mustard or fenugreek.

There is naturally no universal rule for growing herbs. Each has its specific requirements and each thrives in different conditions. However most of the herbs listed above can be grown together in the small garden if provided with good garden soil and sufficient water, light and heat.

As the growing season draws to a close with the onset of autumn it must be kept in mind that practically all perennial herbs are natives of warm regions where frost is unknown (thyme, hyssop, sage, oregano, etc.). For this reason they should be cut back to about 10 cm (4 in) above the ground and in areas where frosts regularly occur, covered with a protective layer of dry leaves, straw or evergreen twigs for the winter. This should be carefully removed in spring when growth starts so that the plants are not attacked by fungus diseases which would flourish in the warm moist environment.

The ideal soil is well drained but at the same time retains the necessary nutrients, well aerated and will neither pack down in wet weather nor form a crust when conditions are dry. The soil must also be deep enough to accommodate deep-rooting plants.

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Colorful flowers, such as asters and nasturtiums are planted along the edges and herb garden bed to brighten it up.

White Willow and Crack Willow

By Ava Gates

The white willow is the commonest tree-size willow in Europe, attaining heights of 20 to 25 metres with trunks one metre across and living from 80 to 120 years. Old trees have thick, vertically furrowed, yellow-brown bark. The yellowish flowers, arranged in catkins, appear in April, while those borne on the female trees ripen into capsules with small, down-covered seeds in early June.

The pith of the twigs contains air spaces. The leaves are alternate, odd-pinnate, the largest leaflets located in the centre. The male flowers are in drooping catkins 8 to 10 cm long, the female flowers terminal, in clusters of two to five, ripening in the autumn into a plum-like fruit with a brownish-green, semi-fleshy husk and a brown corrugated nut. The whole fruit, including the husk, falls in October; the seed is relatively small and very hard.

It provides bees with their first feast of the year. The seed ripens and is shed in May. At the base of the leaf stalk are small semiheart-shaped leaf-like bodies (stipules) which soon fall. This tree is propagated, both in the wild and artificially, by seed, as cuttings root very poorly. It is a frost-resistant species that thrives in poorer and drier soils. The goat willow is an important pioneer tree in forestry, and animals are fond of nibbling its bark.

The crack willow is widespread throughout most of Europe, extending northward as far as the middle of Sweden and Norway. Like the white willow it grows mainly beside rivers and brooks in moist situations but, unlike the former, occurs also at higher elevations - up to 600 or 700 metres. It grows more slowly, and attains heights up to 25 metres. The trunk is frequently crooked, the bark of young trees being smooth and grey-green, the buds pressed close to the twigs. The lateral branches break off easily at the junctions, hence its name. The leaves are lustrous-green above, blue-green beneath. The dioecious flowers, borne in catkins, appear in April, and the capsules release the small downy seeds in early June. The crack willow is marked by vigorous propagation by sprouts.

Often growing alongside brooks near villages are the so-called pollarded willows, the result of cutting-back the trunk and of repeated cutting of the branches over a period of 2 to 5 years. In practice, new individuals are propagated by cuttings.

The crack willow interbreeds easily with the white willow and other willows and therefore one is more likely to come across hybrids than the pure species in the wild. The wood is used for cricket bats, and the young shoots for making baskets.

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In planning your garden, it is often difficult to make anything a narrow area at the side garden of the house.

Growing Blackberries

By John Hopkins

At the present moment the two popular rootstocks are Brompton and St. Julian A. There is no reason, therefore, why stones should not be sown early in May, 2-3 inches deep, in a prepared border and, say, 2 feet apart. A year later, if trees result, these can be dug up for planting against a warm wall.

The aphides which canse the leaves to curl and the young shoots to be twisted may be prevented by spraying with a tar-oil wash in December, or by soaking with liquid derris when they are first seen.

Blackberries, of course, grow on their own roots and are not budded or grafted on to stocks. Blackberries grow very well indeed on the compost system. It pays to apply straw a foot deep or more not only between the rows but among the plants and thus there is no hoeing or forking to do. Such straw should be applied at the end of the first year, once it is known that the canes are growing well.

Because of the danger of die-back, most experts try and do the pruning entirely in the summer. They aim at removing the unnecessary side shoots when they are 1 inch or so long with their thumb-nail. Growths, therefore, that are tending to grow away from the wall are pinched or rubbed out early. The remaining shoots should be pruned similarly to peaches.

There is little doubt that it pays to protect the blossom when it is out with sacking or fish-netting. It is usual, also, to titillate the blossoms with a rabbit's tail on the end of a bamboo, or a long camel hair brush, the idea being to the pollen artificially. If you are lucky enough to get a heavy crop, thin the fruits to 6 inches apart when they are as big as acorns. The apricots should be at least 4 inches away from one another.

I have never dared to sow the soil down to grass but I have mulched the ground where apricots are growing with sedge peat an inch deep in June, because apricots can suffer in dry weather. Though liberal watering in a drought I prefer the simple mulching system.

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Garden plum fruit tree is best grown in a climate of hard winters, short springs and hot summer.

Cardamom

By Paul Heather

Turmeric is a tropical plant, native to southeast India, which was introduced to Europe by Arabian merchants in ancient times. The aromatic rhizome is used as a condiment. It contains a vivid orange-yellow pigment which earned the plant the name 'Indian saffron'.

Unlike saffron the pigment in turmeric is soluble in fats. It is quite harmless and is used to colour butter, margarine, cheeses and mustard. By reason of its colour as well as its strong, pronounced flavour, turmeric is one of the principal ingredients of curry-powder, Worcestershire sauce and numerous other seasonings.

In the Middle Ages cumin was a culinary herb of the aristocracy, popular mainly for seasoning poultry. It was believed to destroy gases and other foul things in the stomach.

One medieval dish called `Comminee de Poulaille' consisted of chicken cooked in water and wine, then roasted and finely chopped together with ginger, sour fruit juice, saffron and cumin. Nowadays cumin is one of the ingredients of curry-powder. By itself it is also a popular seasoning in Indonesian cookery and is likewise commonly used in Latin America and north Africa.

Unlike caraway, cumin is an annual herb with white or reddish flowers, borne in umbels. The fruits are used for seasoning; these arc double achenes up to 6 mm (I in) long, which often remain joined.

Commercial cardamom is of two kinds: one from Malabar with small fruits and seeds, the other from Mysore with fruits and seeds that are slightly larger.

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The herbs, fruit and vegetables is will decorate your garden, as well as the treatment of it will made a hard working kitchen garden a positive pleasure to sit in.

Evergreen Shrubs

By Anthony Malcom

It is also important to know which shrubs do well in dry locations and which require greater moisture. The first group of barberry, golden rain, bladder senna, box thorn and Japan rose, the second willows the shrub height, the alder buckthorn, red dogwood, French tamarisk and other shrubs.

A second general rule is that the better the other conditions of a given site the less will be the plant's need of light. That means that in poorer climates or where soil is less fertile the need of light is greater providing there is adequate moisture. This is illustrated by the fact that woody plants tolerating moderate shade under optimal ecological conditions become light-loving plants in the northern, areas of their distribution.

Tender young seedlings require great care during the first two years, and plants from such seedlings may also grow slowly during this initial period, so it is some time before they can be transplanted to their permanent site. However, seedlings usually have good root anchorage and attain a greater age than alternatively propagated plants.

The evergreen shrubs of this group should never be exposed to full sunlight because they are easily damaged during the sunny frosty days at the close of winter. On such days the temperature drops to minus 15C at night and on a clear sunny day it may rise above 10C on that side of the shrub that is turned towards the south and the leaves then begin to transpire.

However, they are unable to obtain water from the frozen soil to replace that which has evaporated and the result is that later in spring they turn brown and dry up. For that reason shade-loving evergreen shrubs should never be planted in places fully exposed to sunlight from the south.

Besides these groups there is still another that tolerates either shading from the side or moderate shade from above. It includes the hazel, green alder, traveller's joy, spindle tree, wayfaring tree, water elder and bladdernut.

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In garden planning, round boulders and flat slabs must be skilfully balanced together to build a dry stone wall in the garden.

When to Put Orchids Outside

By Matthew Damon

In countries with a temperate climate, it is safe to place those orchids that will benefit from the air outside in their pots by the end of late spring or the beginning of early summer.

By the time the cymbidiums are ready to be returned to their winter quarters, they will be bristling with flower spikes. The Odontoglossum types, in particular, will reflect their change of surroundings and the extra light by the reddening of their leaves. Provided the amount of light they receive is not overdone, and they are not exposed to bright sunlight, this reddening will do no harm; it can be likened to a suntan and is not sunburn. During the following winter, these leaves will regain their midgreen coloring.

If you do not have a garden, your orchids can still enjoy the advantages of being outside for the summer. They are equally at home on a patio or even a balcony, provided they are shaded from direct sun during most of the day. Ideally, select a spot that is reached by either the early morning, the late afternoon or the evening sun only. This will ensure that the plants are in the shade during the hottest part of the day. Standing them against a white-washed wall will give them the added benefit of light reflected from behind. A roof garden may have just this situation.

In a garden, there are a number of places that will provide a good summer home for your orchids. It may be alongside a fence, a wall or a hedge, which will provide the necessary protection from the sun. Trees may also offer a shady place, but fruit trees should be avoided if there is any danger of ripe fruit crashing on the plants. They also harbour aphids and other pests that will get on the orchids.

Do not place the orchids where they will be in the way of regular hedge trimming or lawn cutting, because you will tire of repeatedly having to move the plants. Having chosen the ideal position, erect a bench for the plants to stand upon that is at a convenient height for you to water and attend to them.

Check the compost (growing medium) for ants' nests and vine weevils or their grubs. Destroy these by soaking the plant in a bucket of water for up to an hour. Check for the more easily seen pests such as slugs and snails, and also for the smaller, more troublesome red spider mites and aphids.

If you cannot find a sufficiently shady place for the orchids erect a shade-cloth roof above the plants on the bench, leaving open ends or sides to allow a free movement of air.

Orchids that are mounted on bark can be hung in trees, but they will require constant daily watering to ensure that they get enough moisture. Vandas, stanhopeas and other orchids in hanging baskets can be treated likewise. Aerial roots should remain active all through the summer and they will grow steadily if they are kept well sprayed.

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Taking care of orchids growing outside in the garden differs little from the care that is needed to grow orchids indoors.

Red Elder

By Julian Preston

The Duke of Argyll's tea tree is a thorny shrub, 1-2 m in height, with long, drooping pale grey shoots. Older twigs have short side twigs terminated by a thorn. The small buds are borne on broad, peg-like projections.

The fruits ripen in September and remain on the bush until the spring of the following year. The capsules contain 2 winged seeds. This is a quick-growing shrub and produces stump and root suckers freely.

This shrub is widespread in southern Europe, where it grows mostly in the coastal areas on dry banks. In central and western Europe it is planted for its foliage and to prevent erosion on dry, steep banks. It does very well in dry sites and in warmer regions is sufficiently frost-resistant. It multiplies by producing root suckers. The fruits arc eaten by birds and the seeds dispersed by them over a wide area so that in central and western Europe it is frequently naturalized.

Common elder is a large shrub or small tree up to 10 m high, developing a broad crown and stern up to 30 cm in diameter. The pale grey bark becomes deeply furrowed and corky with age. The shoots are stout, grey, slightly angular in cross section and covered with numerous white corky pores. The opposite, ovate and semi-naked buds are located above a large leaf scar shaped like a half-moon. The white flower clusters, 12 to 20 cm across, appear in June; the fruits ripen in September.

This shrub is a native of northern and central China, where it grows on mountain slopes, and was introduced into the parks and gardens of western and central Europe almost 150 years ago. It is very popular for the abundance and brightness of its blooms as well as for its early flowering season. It is planted either as a solitary specimen, in groups or as a border plant alongside paths. It requires full sun if it is to bear a rich profusion of flowers and is moderate in its demands on soil moisture.

It is slightly sensitive to frost and its shoots are damaged by frost in severe winters. Propagation is by means of seeds and summer cuttings. Also widely cultivated in European parks is F. viridissima, with simple leaves, likewise a native of China. Cross-breeding of the two above species produced the hybrid x F. intermedia with simple and occasionally trifoliate leaves. This hybrid and its named forms, notably 'Spectabilis' and 'Lynwood' are commonly met with in gardens.

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A garden planning tip is that a roof which is not used can be planted with evergreen and shrubby garden plants which need a little attention.

Black Poplar and Balsam Poplar

By Audrey Christopher

The black poplar's natural range of distribution embraces the whole of western, central and eastern Europe, extending into Siberia as far as the Yenisei River. It grows in moist soils, often alongside large rivers, mainly on sand and gravel formations. It is a large true, attaining a height of 35 metres, with a widespreading crown. The trunk is covered with thick, furrowed, grey-black bark. The twigs and buds are yellowish. The leaves, broadly wedge- shaped at the base, arc arranged alternately on the twig. The catkins flower in April and the capsules shed the downy seed in early June.

It reaches heights of 25 to 30 metres and has a sparse, highly placed crown. The bark is smooth and coloured greenish grey, but old trees have fissured blackish bark at the lower part of the trunk. The buds on the twigs are lustrous-brown and sharply pointed. The aspen is a dioecious species (male and female flowers on separate trees). It flowers in March and the tiny seeds, imbedded in cottonwool-like hairs, are shed in late May. The leaf stalk is long and flattened, and even a slight breeze sets the leaf in motion. The aspen is a light-demanding tree and does not require rich soil.

The balsam poplars are indigenous to North America and Asia. The one most commonly cultivated in Europe is Populus balsamifera L., a native of North America, where it grows on alluvial bottomlands in the northern United States and in Cahada. The name is derived from the pleasant balsam smell of the opening buds and leaves. It grows to a height of 30 metres and has yellow-grey bark, thick and furrowed, and coloured blackish at the base of the trunk.

The twigs are yellow-brown to brown, the buds covered with a layer of balsam resin. The flowers and fruit are very much like those of the white poplar. The balsam poplar is a light-demanding tree that requires considerable moisture.

In Europe it is cultivated mainly in parks for its ornamental, light-coloured bark and pleasant scent in spring. Planted occasionally in hill country is the western balsam poplar (Populus trichocarpa Torr. et Grey), a native of western North America. A northern Chinese poplar (Populus simouii Carr.), a native of China and Manchuria, is more frequently planted as a street and shade tree in European cities.

It is an attractive ornamental, with whitish bark, and nearly rhombic, 10 cm long leaves, which appear on the tree in early spring.

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Privacy, including protection from the dirt and noise of passing traffic, can be a garden planning problem where the house garden adjoins a busy street.

Babe Ruth

By Denise I Smithson

Who doesn't remember Babe Ruth? Even if you are too young, and are a baseball fan, we bet you've heard of Babe and the House That Ruth Built. Even one of his superstitions remains popular among Major League players-"whenever I hit a homerun, I always make sure I touch all four bases." Babe was a curious man, ferocious in baseball, women, and ideals, and we remember his as "The Babe," fondly so, because there will never be another man like him, in any sport.

Born George Herman Ruth Jr. to parents George Sr. and Kate Schamberger-Ruth in Baltimore, Maryland in 1895, Ruth and his sister Mamie were the only two survivors out of eight children. Ruth did not have an idyllic childhood, often being left to his own devices to get by. When he was only seven, his parents sent him to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, which Ruth looked at more as prison than school. He saw his parents only rarely and rapidly became known by the nuns at St. Mary's as a problem child.

Never find if rules, Ruth chafed under the strict life of the school. The upside for Ruth was that he discovered baseball while at the school, becoming quite the player in his time there. When only 19, he was spotted and immediately signed to the Baltimore Orioles by manager Jack Dunn. He earned his nickname while on the Orioles - his teammates called him "Jacks' new babe"; a name which stayed with him for a lifetime.

It was not long before Ruth's contract was purchased by the Boston Red Sox, where he would spend the next six years both as a catcher and in the outfield. Ruth became immensely popular with fans for his flair on and off the diamond. With the Red Sox, Ruth played his first World Series in 1916. Ruth pitched a still intact record of 14 innings. In fact, Ruth achieved a record setting 29 2/3 innings with no hits as a pitcher in World Series games alone! This record would last for 43 years. In 1919, an ill-advised trade saw Babe Ruth traded to the New York Yankees (ill-advised for the Red Sox anyway, a triumph for the Yankees). This began the "Curse of the Bambino"; the Red Sox would not win another World Series until 2004!

With Ruth on the team, the Yankees would win 4 World Series and 7 American League Pennants. Ruth hit an amazing 54 home runs in 1920 alone. Babe Ruth proved to be just as popular with the fans in New York as he had been in Boston and became a celebrity. The Yankees stadium, built in 1923 soon came to be known as "The House That Ruth Built". Fittingly enough, Ruth hit three home runs on opening day and later that year, the World Series title. Ruth would separate from his wife of 11 years, Helen Woodford in 1925, with whom he had adopted a daughter, Dorothy. It was not until Helen dies in 1929 that he would marry his companion, the model Claire Hodgson. His first at bat that year, he hit a home run out of the park, which he dedicated to Hodgson.

Ruth's 60 home runs in 1927 are another long standing record the player set - it would stand until Roger Maris' 61 home runs in 1961. Many fans debate the vailidity of Maris' record, being that it took Maris 182 games against Ruth's 154. However, no one will debate Ruth's .690 batting average, which has no equal to date. It wasn't for nothing, after all that he is remembered as The Sultan Of Swat.

Of just as much import was the home run scored by Babe Ruth in the 3rd game of the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Legend has it that Ruth said that he would hit a home run over the center stands in memory of Dugout Dora, a stray cat Ruth would feed every time he played at Wrigley Field. Ruth pointed and hit a home run right where he had pointed; it was one of the longest home runs ever hit out of Wrigley Field.

When Babe did not get his desired Yankee manager position in 1935, he left the Yankees and signed with the Brave's as not only a player but also their first base coach accepting the promise of their manager position the following year. With his manager outlook grim, Babe hit three home runs in one of his final games against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where only a meager 10,000 fans saw him tip his hat at that last home run-his 714th. Still, with Babe's 8,399 at-bats, 2,211 RBI's and a career 2.28 ERA as a lefty pitcher, The Babe remains a true hero in the hearts and fans of baseball everywhere.

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How much do you know about baseball? Nothing But Sports is a great place to brush up on your sports trivia and learn how to swing that bat.

What is Garlic?

By Timothy Tungsten

If we were given a choice of growing only one species from the large genus Alliurn the decision would be very difficult, but many persons would doubtless choose chives. Chives can be easily grown, not only in the garden but also in a windowbox or in a pot on the window sill.

They are frost-resistant and their leaves may be snipped the whole year long without affecting the plants in any way. However, they should be fed frequently and should not be cut too close to the ground so as to avoid damaging the growth centres. Chives may be propagated from seed, but home-growers usually increase them by splitting up older clumps and replanting the offsets, which gives earlier yields. The only requirement is plenty of light.

Nowadays garlic is widely used as seasoning throughout the world, but it is used most by the peoples of southern Europe, north Africa and South America. It plays an important role in lands noted for their excellent cuisine, from France to China. Its uses are many: crushed together with salt in green salads; as seasoning for sauces, vegetables and meat dishes (beef and mutton), sausages and salamis, and fish. Besides being a seasoning it also has many important medicinal properties; it prevents flatulence and destroys intestinal parasites, checks the growth of bacteria, and is used in the treatment of arteriosclerosis. The chief exporting countries are USA (California), Egypt, Bulgaria, Hungary and Taiwan.

Dill is exceptionally good when combined with cream sauces and soups, cream cheese and butter, or with vinegar salad dressings. It is also used as a seasoning with raw vegetables, boiled meat and fish. A simple but tasty dish is boiled and buttered new potatoes or string beans with dill. As a rule it is not used with other herbs because of its distinctive aroma.

In order to have fresh dill in the garden the whole year round it should be sown in succession from March till late July. The leaves will be ready for picking within six weeks of sowing. Dill is an annual herb and plants sown in spring produce seeds in the autumn of the same year.

Until recently the housewife used either fresh or dry garlic bulbs, but nowadays, thanks to modern methods of dehydration, it can he obtained in shops in the form of dry pieces, flakes, grains or powder, all of equally good.

About the Author:

When Alcuin, famous early medieval scholar and adviser to Charlemagne, asked his sovereign what a garden herb is he received the succinct reply: `Friend of physicians and pride of cooks'.

White Ash and Manna Ash

By Kimberly Benson

It is necessary to realize that plants, including trees and shrubs, migrated in the Wake of the new ranges. Some species have not as yet occupied the whole of the area that would suit their needs.

Other species came up against insurmountable obstacles such as mountain ranges, and broad river valleys, though beyond these they would again have found areas where they could thrive.

The manna ash is a tree of south-eastern Europe, where it grows south of the Alps and Carpathians. It occurs in Spain and southern France, but the chief centre of its distribution is Italy and the Balkan Peninsula, where it is found on dry, sun- warmed slopes in oak forests. In the northern areas of its range, it occurs chiefly on limestone soils. In the mountains it may be found at elevations up to 1200 metres.

The general pattern of distribution can lead us to deduce that species found beyond the Arctic Circle, such as birch, pine, aspen, alder and spruce are frost resistant, whereas species growing mainly in southern Europe will probably be more sensitive to cold ; in more northern areas only warm and sheltered sites will be favourable for their growth. When introducing new exotics, a thorough study of their natural environment is the main condition of efficient selection and subsequent, vigorous growth.

The manna ash thrives on well-drained soils that are exposed to strong sunlight in the summer. It is, however, tolerant of soil conditions and will grow in cooler climates. It is an important tree in the afforestation of karst areas and dry slopes devastated by grazing. In former times, the liquid "manna" (sap) yielded by the bark was used for pharmaceutical purposes in Italy.

This practice has continued with greater or lesser intensity up to the present day, reaching a peak during the past two centuries when man was settling the vast expanses of the Americas, Africa and Asia. At first, these plants were imported as novelties for parks and landscape gardens, but, later, economic reasons also prevailed, and exotics were planted in forestry plantations.

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One garden planning tip is that slatted wooden stagings are necessary for standing plant containers on in the garden so excess water can drip through on to the floor.

Southernwood Herb

By Mary Rose

Southernwood herb is a perennial sub-shrub that was very popular with the herbalists of medieval times.

In all probability it is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia and was introduced to central Europe by the Slays during their mass westward migrations. Nowadays it is widely distributed throughout the world, often becoming established in the wild in sandy locations beside ponds and water courses. It was probably one of the `bitter herbs' eaten by the Jews during the feast of Passover.

Southernwood herb is also used as a medicine as well as in cooking ingredients. Southernwood herb is used to this day as a home remedy to aid digestion and as an intestinal antiseptic.

The young aromatic foliage of Southernwood herb is used for culinary purposes, either fresh or dried. Southernwood herb has a bitter flavour, like the foliage of all members of the genus, and smells of lemon. Southernwood herb is used sparingly, mainly as seasoning for fatty pork and mutton, roast goose and duck, as well as to flavour pies, cream cheese, mayonnaise and salads. The French put parts of the Southernwood herb plants in wardrobes as Southernwood herb will protect their clothes against the damage caused by moths and other insects.

Horseradish is a perennial with a large, fleshy tap root. It is propagated only by vegetative means - by root cuttings. It is important to cut off the clusters of flowers so the plant's energies are concentrated into root development rather than fruit formation. The roots should be dug up in autumn or spring of the second or third year and stored in boxes in sand in a cool cellar so they do not dry out. Horseradish is very good for the health because of its high content of Vitamin C and mineral substances.

Southernwood herb is often grown in gardens not only as a culinary and medicinal herb but also for its handsome foliage. Southernwood herb does not flower until late autumn in central Europe and generally does not produce viable seeds. Southernwood herb is therefore propagated by dividing older clumps. Old wood should be cut out during the dormant period in winter, thereby promoting the growth of new shoots and lush foliage in spring.

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A small herb garden which is part of a larger garden, forms a complete and satisfying entity in itself.

What Makes New Balance Tennis Shoes The Best Shoes in America?

By Ron Jordan

When we speak about sport shoes, we speak about making performance. Professional runners need professional footwear to meet their training needs. The more attention sportsmen pay to their equipment, the better their results can be. One brand came into their attention: New Balance tennis shoes offered them the stability, the comfort and the innovation needed for performance.

New Balance sneakers are a traditional US brand, dating since the beginning of the 1900s. Their ranges of shoes are targeting females and males, in different product lines. The recipe for creating a big name in shoes for New Balance was the permanent care for innovative ideas and creativity.

The initial New Balance shoe for runners was made in 1938 and it was a success. The shoe was targeted at professional runners. In case they were not happy with the performance, they were promised to receive their money back.

It took several more years until the first running shoe for common people was issued. This happened in 1960. Trackstar was the brand that revolutionized running for ever. They were based on an innovative concept regarding fitting, so they practically could fit every person.

In 1982, the famous 990 New Balance sneaker was born, with thorough research beneath its launch. They were flexible, stable and supportive, so sales were really boosting. This was a premium running shoe.

As technology improved, New Balance incorporated the state of the art processes and materials in their shoes, so the 990 was significantly improved. The look was also changed in order to match the fashion of the 90s.

Continuous innovation made New Balance preserve its place in the gallery of the greatest sport shoes manufacturers, even in 2009. Actual models such as the 993 have modern shapes, better cushioning and pronation control. The midsole is one of the best innovations in sport shoes design since long time ago.

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Read more tips about shoes on this New Balance shoes website, written by a fashion passionate and sports footwear addicted.

The Importance of Shrubs

By Adam Parker

Climbing and scrambling shrubs are valuable assets that have few substitutes. Ideal for covering and concealing ugly walls and fences as well as for adding a touch of green to terraces, pergolas, archways and pillars are members of the genera Ainpelopsis, Aristolochia, Clematis, Euonymus, Hedera, Hydrangea, Lonicera, Rosa, Vitis and many others.

One example is the high mountain shrub community above the tree line consisting of dwarf pine, European green alder, dwarf willows, rhododendrons and other shrubs whose limited height coupled with a protective blanket of snow permits them to survive the icy winds and sub-zero temperatures of the winter months.

Some deciduous shrubs are often used to form hedges of varying height and thickness because they stand up well to pruning. These include also certain thorny species that form practically impenetrable hedges. For this purpose, shrubs may be divided into two groups: those that form hedges more than 2 al high and those that grow to a height of 1-1.5 m.

At the first hint of spring the sallow provides bees with their first nourishment of pollen and nectar after their long winter sleep. In March sun- warmed hillsides in central and eastern Europe are covered with the yellow blooms of the cornelian cherry, which likewise attract swarms of bees.

And with the actual arrival of spring, there is a wealth of blossom in shades of yellow, pink, red and other hues, as shrubs in hedgerows, pastures and forest clearings entice their many and varied insect pollinators. The fruits and seeds of shrubs are disseminated, as a rule, by birds and animals that cat the sweet pulp or protein-rich and oily seeds. The fruits of the common elder, red elder, currants, privet, English holly, blackthorn and many other shrubs are favourites with birds and their seeds are dispersed far and wide. For songbirds, however, shrubs are not just a source of food. The dense and sometimes thorny branches of many shrubs provide them with maintain for lack of light.

These general criteria, however, do not always apply. Some species of shrubs may include specimens with a clearly evident main stem (Cornelian cherry, common buckthorn, English holly), and in rare instances some may even attain a height of more than 8 m (hawthorn, English holly). These general characteristics, however, apply to the majority of shrubs.

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When the contours and layout of the garden have been plotted on a flat garden plan, you can begin to translate the shapes into walls, steps and paves areas which will form the basic skeleton of the garden.

Soccer Ronaldinho

By Denise I Smithson

Ronaldinho (Ronaldo de Assis Moreira) was born on March 21, 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and would rise to be one of soccer's greatest. The five-foot eleven, one-hundred seventy-seven pound forward would wow audiences with his mastery as early as 1999, beginning amateur play following in his father Joao's footsteps, becoming skilled in beach and indoor (futbal) soccer.

Born to Miguelina, and cared for by his sisters and brother after his father's death when he was only eight, Ronaldinho achieved his first cap with the Brazilian senior team in 1999 with club Gremio under head coach Celso Roth. In 2001, Arsenal FC wanted Ronaldinho but this move would not go through as Ronaldinho was unable to obtain a work permit. Eventually, Ronaldinho would sign a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain FC where some reported he enjoyed his nightlife more than football. Unhappy in Paris, Ronaldiho finally went back to Barcelona in 2004.

Major success came to Ronaldinho at the Copa America held in Paraguay where he mesmerized audiences playing alongside teammates Ronald and Rivaldo scoring Brazil's fifth goal in a 7-0 wipeout of Venezuela. Now known as the "wonder goal," in 2002 during the FIFA World Cup in Japan, Ronaldinho scored the game-winning goal through an amazing 30-yard free kick that surprised the English's unaware goalkeeper, David Seaman. His team would win this quarterfinal and go on to win the World Cup where Ronaldinho achieved soccer greatness by being named to the all-tournament team.

Soccer's greatest prizes seem magnetized to Ronaldinho. He was won: the FIFA World Player of the Year (2004 and 2005); the UEFA's Champion League Award (2006, a years when he put in seven goals in only12 matches) in Barcelona; and numerous others. "Sports Illustrated" magazine declared that Ronaldinho was the athlete with the fifth highest income in the world for 2008; his earnings of $37.5 million included his salary and bonuses on top of product endorsements and pay for making live appearances. The 28-year-old was now in the company of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, David Beckham, and Kimi Raikkonen.

During his 200th match in the summer of 2008, Ronaldinho dismayed his fans and spectators of soccer by going down with a right leg injury--an injury that got him sitting the bench for the rest of the season. Then to complicate matters, Ronaldinho and his club got into an argument over his decision to play in the Bejing Olympic games. Nevertheless, Ronaldinho eventually got a deal with the Italian Club AC Milan and went on to play in the Olympics alongside his countrymen.

Manchester City offered Ronaldinho a contract for over $25 million to play for them at a time when he was getting paid $21 million in Barcelona; however, he turned down this offer but instead when with AC Milan on a three-year deal. However, he gave up his #10 because it had been retired for Italian AC Milan player Clarence Seedorf. He replaced it with #80 for the year of his birth. Milan quickly saw the wisdom of their new player selection when Ronaldinho scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Internazionale in September of 2008.

Against Sporting Braga in the November 2008 UEFA Cup, Ronaldinho got Milan inot a 2-2 draw after they had fallen behind 2-0 when he scored a match-winner in the 93rd minute. His brother Roberto has been quite the force as Ronaldinho's brother Roberto has acted as his brother's agent and already brought him more endorsements for him that are booked up through 2014. Ronaldinho seems in better spirits these days in Milan, Italy.

Becoming a father in 2005 with the birth of his son Joao, named after his father and mother of Brazilian dancer Janaina Mendes, Ronaldinho's soccer fate seems to be set in stone-what team he will remain on may be known only to Ronaldinho and Roberto. With fans of soccer everywhere shouting his name and cheering him on, we bet Ronaldinho will be a best bet for any team and some may dream, "what about the US?

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When you want a question answered about sports, be sure to visit http://nothingbutsports.info. Here you will find sports trivia, tips, quotations, and resources about all kinds of sports activities. Visit us today at Nothing But Sports.

Remembering Old Shea Stadium

By Denise I Smithson

By the time the old Shea Stadium said goodbye, it had been in existence for 44 years. Thinking back, it is hard to imagine that at one point in the history of baseball, the Mets were an expansion team some sixty years after their cross-town American League rivals first took the field. Oh, and for all you informational buffs out there the stadium was originally called the Flushing Meadow Park Municipal Stadium.

Throughout its history, Shea Stadium has housed some of the greatest names in baseball ever to appear on a baseball roster. Duke Snider, Nolan Ryan, Warren Spahn, Tom Seaver, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Yogi Berra, Casey Stengel, Richie Ashburn, and Gary Carter all made it to the baseball Hall of Fame. Other players, just as entertaining if not as famous, like Lenny "Nails" Dykstra and Gil Hodges that just gritted it out from day to day are also remembered with fondness.

Yes, there have been lots of good times and a few bad times; we've been confronted with ugly and outrageous behavior of players and fans, but in the end we have some awesome memories woven into the fabric of the stadium's history. Take the 1986 Mets versus Boston Red Sox World Series game, for example, where we watched Dwight Gooden and Daryl Strawberry take the Mets to a victorious climax, winning the World Series that year. Regrettably, the notoriety and high living took its toll as both players spent the remaining years of their baseball careers dealing with the consequences of drug use and other problems.

In 1969 we saw the Amazin' Mets win their first Championship when no one really knew of the young Nolan Ryan who would spend the next 27 years earning the record of the player who struck out 5,714 batters. Remarkable moments like these abound throughout the history of Shea Stadium; in fact, one could literally write a book about the colorful and extraordinary events. And although a new chapter in the stadium's history begins, those special memories of the past will live in the hearts of Mets' fans around the world for eternity.

When the world was stunned by the news of the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Shea Stadium became a relief center for supplies, food, and a place for the victims to stay. Who can forget the first game after that fateful day when the Mets helped to heal the city? For New Yorkers, it was one of the most inspiring nights ever in baseball history. Thousands of fans packed the stadium to watch as the Mets took on the Atlanta Braves. Before the game started the rescue workers were honored and Diana Ross sang God Bless America. It was a very moving experience as the two teams shook hands, united in the face of the tragedy that shook the world. Yes, our Shea Stadium is like no other. May we always remember and look with anticipation to 50 more years of baseball history.

About the Author:

Did the Mets win the world series in 1986? For questions like this and lots more sports trivia visit http://nothingbutsports.info/ today!

Positioning Orchids

By Robert Hemmings

While orchid plants themselves are extremely varied, in their flowers they know no bounds in terms of variation in structure and colour. The flowers are so diverse and often incredibly beautiful, in stark contrast to what some see as distinctly unattractive plants. Many people are amazed that such beautiful flowers can come from what they consider to be untidy or ugly plants, though to the true enthusiast, most orchid plants are handsome.

Not all orchid blooms can be described as beautiful, however. While the most favoured and widely grown orchids are undeniably lovely, there are many whose flowers are curious, strange and even grotesque in appearance. The genus containing the greatest number of species is Bulbophyllum, but, among its thousand or so species, there are very few that could be described as pretty. While all orchids conform to one basic design, this has been duplicated and modified a thousand times, each variation designed to suit one orchid's particular habitat or way of growing.

The ideal aspect for summer growing is a window that receives either the morning or evening sun, but not direct sun during the hottest part of the day. Most indoor kinds will be happy with this situation. Those orchids that like the shadiest places, such as phalaenopsis and paphiopedilums, will do equally well in a window that does not receive too much sun in summer. Cattleyas and dendrobiums are examples of orchids that like a considerable amount of light, and these would be well suited to a window that receives a great deal of sun, provided there was some shading between the plants and the glass.

Orchids are largely insect pollinated, and their flower structure reflects this. Each flower consists of six segments - three petals and three sepals - that are known collectively as the tepals. The outer three are sepals; the inner three petals. The third of the petals has developed into the labellum, or lip, which provides an ideal landing stage for the pollinating insect. Often the lip is lightly hinged, so that it can position the insect correctly for pollination, as well as ensuring that only the rightsize insect enters the flower. In many orchids, the lip is large and highly coloured and has a bright patterning quite distinct from the rest of the flower.

At the centre are a number of ridges that guide the insect to the bloom. These are usually bright yellow and are called the honey guides. Above the lip is the column - a single, finger-like structure containing the reproductive parts of the flower. The pollen is found at the end dorsal sepal of the column, usually in two, four or six masses. These pollen masses contain the pollen grains, or pollinia, which, unlike other flowers, are not in a powder form. "l'hey are held at the end of the column under a protective cap called the anther.

From among the immense number of hybrids raised, several alliances that contain numerous related genera have emerged. Among these the most favoured are the Cattleya alliance, the Odontoglossum alliance and the Vanda alliance. Within these three natural genera, alliances can be found consisting of anything from two natural genera (Laelia x Cattleya = Laeliocattleya) to six (Cattleya x Brassavola x Broughtonia x Laelia x Schomburgkia xSophronitis = Mooreara), and, in a few instances, nine (Cattleya x Brassavola x Broughtonia x Cattleyopsis x Diacrium x Epidendrum x Laelia x Schomburgkia x Sophronitis = Sallyyeeara). Here, there appears to be no limit on the multiples, which have led to some astonishing results.

On the underside of the column is a sticky patch. This is the stigmatic surface into which the pollinia are deposited. The pollen grains extend their growing tubes down through the centre of the column to reach the ovaries situated directly behind the flower, where they meet the thousands of unfertilized seeds. By the time fertilization is complete, the ovaries will have swollen into a large capsule containing up to a million minute, golden yellow, ripening seeds.

Be aware of those places that could be harmful to orchids. Do not stand the plants directly in front of, or above, an open fire, where they will quickly succumb to overheating and dehydration. Remember that appliances such as the fridge in the kitchen and the television in the living room both give out warmth when working, which is harmful to orchids placed nearby. Also, avoid any area where the plants will be in a draught (draft) from an open doorway or other source of cold air. Finally, wherever you place your orchids, take care to prevent them being knocked over or damaged by pets or children.

About the Author:

Learning about tips on caring for you orchids is important so that your orchid garden will become a healthy plant with beautiful blossoms.

Climbing Strawberries

By Ron House

Worcester berry produces a large, very prickly bush like a gooseberry. The berries are very dark red in colour and they are not easy to pick because of the prickles. It has been grown as a hedge and then is planted 3 feet apart. If it is to be grown as a bush, it needs at least 6 feet. There are a number of hybrid berries which can be grown in a similar manner to blackberries or loganberries.

Boysenberry's exact parentage of this hybrid is not known but it probably has blackberry, raspberry and loganberry blood in it. The fruit is dark wine in colour and not too seedy. It is more delicious than the loganberry and has a more tender plug or core. It usually takes eighteen months before it starts to grow vigorously but, once the roots get a hold, very strong canes are heavy crops of fruits on long spurs, these being well away from the cane are easy to pick. The boysenberry is very hardy and extremely resistant to drought. Plant the canes 12 feet apart.

King's acre berry is a hybrid raised by crossing the blackberry and raspberry. It is picked earlier than the loganberry and the fruit comes away from the core easily, like a raspberry. It is like a long-shaped blackberry of excellent flavour. The canes are sturdy and bear heavy crops of fruit. Plant 8 feet apart.

Clean cultivation is usually practised for the first year but after that a straw or sedge peat mulching can be given. Little pruning is done until the third year when some of the older wood is cut out. The blueberry produces fruit on the previous season's growth. Varieties which are said to have succeeded well on Exmoor are Rubel, Jersey, Burlington and Pemberton. Rubel sets satisfactorily without having to be interplanted with a pollinator.

Most people, however, allow some of the plants to scramble over the surface of the ground and thus they produce a heavy crop of runners for next year's planting and they treat the climbing strawberry as an annual.

Youngberry was raised by a nurseryman called Young of California who crossed the dewberry with the Phenomenal Berry. The fruit is dark red, almost black, large, juicy and with a minimum of seeds. It is easy to pick, for the berries arc carried on spurs well away from the canes which are not, incidentally, very thorny. Plant 7 feet apart.

About the Author:

When planning to create a fruit tree garden or make imrpovements on an existing one, it is important to know the regularions and bye-laws, as they affect garden construction.

How to Propagate Shrub by Cuttings

By Michael Hills

Once the cuttings have rooted they should be hardened off in the autumn by removing the glass and left in the frame for the winter. Woody plants that throw out shoots from the roots may be propagated by root cuttings. This is a fairly simple method, which may be carried out during the dormant period when the gardener has the most time.

Such plants as Hippophae rhamnoides, Chaenomeles lagenaria, Rims typhina, Rubus sp . or Campsis radicans can be propagated in this way. It is best to take the cuttings in December before the soil freezes.

Summer or softwood cuttings are an even more effective means of propagation, used with shrubs that do not multiply well from winter cuttings, e.g. Cytisus, Viburnum, Spiraea, Staphylea, Rhamnus. Summer cuttings must be inserted in a greenhouse, frame, or box covered with glass because they wilt easily and require a moister atmosphere. Summer cuttings are taken from June to the end of August according to the nature and maturity of the shoots. Cuttings from evergreens are usually taken as late as August.

Summer cuttings are taken from spring shoots when they begin to turn woody at the base. They are shorter than winter cuttings, from 4 to 10 cm in length. The bottom cut is again made just below the bud, where new tissue is produced more readily. All leaves are removed from the bottom part of the cutting that is to be inserted into the rooting medium. If the remaining leaves are more than 8-10 cm long, it is best to shorten them by at least half to limit transpiration. 'The best rooting medium for cuttings is a mixture of one part gritty river sand and one part peat, on top of which is added a 1-1.5 cm layer of river sand. This is then well watered and lightly tamped down.

The cuttings should be inserted to about 1/3rd of their length in holes made with a dibber slightly thicker than the cuttings and lightly firmed in. The bed or pot should then be well watered and covered with glass.

The first buds appear in about four to five weeks, at which time the boxes are exposed to the light so that the shoots will be short and sturdy. The ensuing care is the same as with plants from stern cuttings.

About the Author:

Wood is probably the most versatile and often the cheapest and easiest material to use in your garden plan if you are building your own garden enclosure.

Cayenne Pepper or Chilli

By Ashlyn Cadence

The hottest of all seasonings is that obtained from the ripe fruits (berries) of various forms of Capsicum frutescens. Called chillies, they are bright red, much smaller than the fruits of sweet pepper and vary in shape, depending on the variety.

The fruits are generally dried in the sun, becoming wrinkled during the process and turning dark red to orange red. The dried fruits, with calyces removed, are ground to yield cayenne pepper, so named after the port of Cayenne, chief town of French Guiana.

The so-called 'Spanish paprika' is the sweetest variety, the seeds and partitions of which are carefully removed before grinding the fruit.

According to medieval tradition, chopped fresh leaves are added to soups and salads. Caraway may also be used in powdered form, but it must be ground just before being used so the fragrant essential oil does not evaporate.

Caraway is a biennial plant indigenous to a wide area embracing almost all of Europe and Asia. Because of its large consumption it is nowadays grown as a field crop throughout most of Europe as well as in Asia and north Africa. It does not tolerate wet, heavy clay soils.

It is grown from seed and is an annual herb with branching stem attaining a height of 60 cm (2 ft). The fruits are harvested by hand as they ripen and are usually strung like beads and hung to dry under the eaves against the sun-baked walls of rural cottages

About the Author:

A good herb garden pattern is a geometric pattern of low box hedging, with a single 'Peace Rose' as the focal point around which the whole design radiates.

Sweet Cherries

By John Cornwall

Commercially, the growing of sweet cherries is confined almost entirely to Kent, though years ago good cherries were grown in Buckingham, Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford.

Cherries for years were grown in Kent on grass, with sheep grazing regularly. The result was, and is still, in some cases, that the sward is kept really short while the trees get the animal manure that they need. The alternative on a small acreage would be to use geese. Cherries do best as standard trees and this does enable regular grazing or regular mowing to be carried out. Another method of successful manuring is to cut the grass regularly with a mower, such as a Haytor, and to allow the grass cuttings to rest on the ground as a sod mulch. Meat and bone meal should be applied in February at 2 oz. to the sq. yard, or 6 cwt. to the acre, and dried blood at an ounce to the sq. yard, or 2 cwt. to the acre, early in March. Soot can be used instead of dried blood at 4 oz. to the sq. yard, or ton or so to the acre.

Because standard cherry trees are such strong growers, they have to be planted not less than 40 feet apart either way. This is another reason, incidentally, why it is impossible to grow sweet cherries on a small scale. These trees should be allowed to grow slowly and so they are usually not pruned in the year following planting.

Blossom Wilt, recognized by the withered brown flower trusses, can all be controlled at the moment by the use of Bordeaux Mixture, applied at varying times.

In the case of the wall cherries, the aim in the early stages should be to space the branches out a foot apart, radiating like a fan, and then, having cut the one-year-old growths back by half for two years after planting, it is best to leave the tree to grow naturally, except for summer pruning in. July and August, which may consist of (a) cutting back the very strong growths growing perpendicularly away from the wall right down to their base, and (b) the weaker growths to within three buds of their base. If growths develop on the wall side, these had better be rubbed out when they are only an inch long.

Some of the varieties are Amber Heart. The popular heart-shaped pale yellow cherry with a slight red cheek. A prolific cropper. Pollinators: Napoleon and Florence. Season mid-July; Bigarreau De Schrecken. A shiny black not-too-sweet fruit of excellent flavour. Unfortunately subject to Leaf Spot. Pollinators: Early Rivers and Black Tartarian. Season late June. Bigarreau Napoleon. This is my favourite. A late-flowering yellow and dark red fruit, firm and sweet. A regular cropper, a slow small grower. Susceptible to Leaf Spot and Silver Leaf. Pollinators: Roundel and Florence. Season late July. Black Eagle. Sweet, juicy, purplish black fruits. Heavy cropper. Pollinator: Bigarreau de Schrecken. Season mid-July; Bradbourne Black. Fruit large, late, very dark red. Firm. Late flowerer. Pollinators: Roundel, Napoleon, Merton Favourite and Merton Bounty. Season mid-July-Aug.

About the Author:

Garden fruit trees prefer a well drained, moist soil with plenty of humus.