March 13, 1909 



H O R T I C U L T U K E 



349 



Roses Under Glass 



GREEX-FLY AND RED-SriDER 



With tlic approach of spring we may expect a rapid 

 increase of green-fly and red-spider and special efforts 

 should be made to exterminate them before tliey become 

 too numerous. 



Fumigating with tobacco stems is a common practice 

 but withal unsatisfactory, as it is almost impossible to 

 fumigate as often as is necessary to keep green-fly in 

 check without at the same time causing injury to the 

 flowers and foliage. The petals of Killarney and other 

 pink varieties are so easily bleached that heavy fumiga- 

 tion sometimes renders the flowers quite unfit for mar- 

 ket and although the injury to the foliage may not be 

 so apparent, it is there nevertheless and should not be 

 ignored. 



One of the most effective substitutes for tobacco stems 

 and at the same time least injurious to plant life that 

 lias come under the writer's observation, is Nicoticide. 

 The chief drawback to this preparation is its expense, 

 but if used carefully and at the proper time this may 

 be kept within reasonable bounds. Syringe carefully 

 every time this operation is performed and there will be 

 little trouble from red-spider. Give particular attention 

 to the young plants in pots, as red-spider is one of the 

 most injurious j)ests they have to contend with in their 

 present stage. 



During the remainder of the season when the plants 

 are healthy and vigorous and the soil well filled with 

 roots, considerable benefit may be obtained from the 

 use of liquid food. For this purpose there is nothing 

 safer than the liquid from fresh cow manure which 

 contains manj' of the elements necessary to plant life 

 and in their proper proportions. For a first applica- 

 tion it is important that the liquid be rather weak and 

 the soil not very dry, otherwise, the result may be en- 

 tirely opposite to that which is expected. As the plants 

 become accustomed to this class of food the prepara- 

 tion may be made stronger without incurring any dan- 

 ger. Of equal importance in the administration of 

 liquid manure is a Icnowledge of when to apply it — the 

 period of growth in which the plants can use this food to 

 advantage. Plants which have lapsed into a semi-dor- 

 mant condition should not receive food in any form 

 other than that contained in the soil until, by a judicious 

 use of water, heat and ventilation they have been coaxed 

 into renewed activity and made a new growth of several 

 inches in length. 



Conditions over which we have no control are some- 

 times responsible for the check to root action or other 

 troubles that occasionally retard the growth of our 

 plants, but more often these checks may be traced to in- 

 discriminate use of fertilizers in liquid and other forms 

 and it is only by careful observation of conditions, 

 sound judgment in administering food and frequent 



reference to past experiences that we may hope to avoid 

 these troubles in the future. 



The Rose in Floral Work 



Acknowledged queen of flowers, the rose lifts itself in 

 mighty grandeur above her exquisite but less pretentious 

 sisters of the soil, and for her sweet innocence and ever 

 readiness to mingle with them we bow our tenderest 

 respect and compliments. 



We do not speak slightingly of all else of Flora's 

 kingdom when lauding the charms of the rose, as each 

 flower in turn can boast its votary, and justly so, as the 

 blossom devoid of beauty and without an admirer ia 

 unknown. In its willowy grace and loftiness of mien 

 the rose may be depended upon when displayed with its 

 kind, onlj', to produce results in the matter of natural 

 charm not to be obtained by the clustering of blooms of 

 any flowering plants not embraced in its class, and it is 

 conceded the rose is in a class, alone. Unselfish by na- 

 ture it is willing at all times to go hand in hand with a 

 companion of different type, even though its adaptabil- 

 ity to such combinations is comparatively slight. 



In company with carnations the rose loses its impor- 

 tance, while the carnation itself appears to suffer, the 

 latter being more at ease unaided by the former. 



There are opportunities, nevertheless, for roses being 

 used to advantage with other flowers as floral emblems 

 may mutely attest, be they fashioned for the living or 

 the dead. 



A funeral wreath composed of roses, any color, fur- 

 nished at one side with lily of the valley or orcliids is 

 pretty and in harmony, while a cluster of roses in eon- 

 tact with a generous bunch of violets on a wreath of 

 galax is by no means disturbing to the eye. 



A bridal bouquet of white rosebuds embellished with 

 a few white orchids at one side is beautiful as it is popu- 

 lar. There are other instances where the rose may be 

 used in connection with other flowers with excellent 

 effect, notably in bridal outfits. 



What is most desired in the use of roses is an avoid- 

 ance of commonplace combinations, such as roses and 

 violets, roses and gardenias, roses with sweet peas or 

 lily of the valley: in fact with any small flower in the 

 construction of corsage bouquets, small flowers being 

 inflnitely better alone than when in company of the 

 rose, whose preeminence enables it to stand alone in the 

 fulness of its dignity. 



Neir York City. 



