April 17, 1909 



HORTICULTURE 



557 



Papaver nudicaule 



Soutli of New York sonictimea 

 a< early as March, around Boston 

 in April and along the sea coast of 

 Maine in May, the Iceland poppies 

 begin to open their nodding, dark 

 green masses of buds. This papaver 

 as native of the mountainous dis- 

 tricts of the northern hemisphere is 

 especially vi-ell adapted for the cli- 

 matic conditions of the New Eng- 

 land States; at least, I cannot re- 

 member having seen it grown to bet- 

 ter perfection elsewhere. Hardlx 

 lias the winter cover of dry leaves 

 been removed when the pinnate, 

 glaucous foliage, which so far had 

 been lying flat on the frozen ground, 

 commences to rise and, within a few 

 days, as a compact clump of thrifty 

 looking leafage reminds us that 

 spring has come again. Soon the 

 eggshaped buds borne on erect stems 

 appear above the leaves, waiting for 

 the first real warm day to burst 

 open. From now on the Iceland poppy bed is 

 one of the most attractive features of a garden. 

 It is literally aglow with the brightest tints of 

 white, sulphrrr yellow and red-orange in wonderfully 

 pure solid shades. Light frosts seldom prove seriously 

 injurious to flowers of Papaver nudicaule. The next 

 day usually sees them here in the north again swaying 

 in the light May breeze. Their petals possess the same 

 silky lustre as those of the larger flowering annual Shir- 

 ley poppies. Stems are of good substance, long and 

 thin. Iceland poppies are very useful for table decora- 

 tions and for frlling vases. The length of their spring 

 flowering extends for over a month. After that the 

 plants bloom sparingly until late in autumn, when once 

 more they turn floriferous. 



Papaver nudicaule though often classed among the 

 perennials is nevertheless more generally grown as a bi- 

 ennial by progressive herbaceous plant firms. Sowing 

 the seed in spring means a fresh supply of young strong 

 plants for the following year. Like most of the poppies 

 they are rather difficult to transplant while in growing 

 state. It is therefore a wise policy to establish and over- 

 winter plants where they are desired to flower the com- 

 ing spring. Needless to say, with the necessary care 

 given during the growing season Iceland poppies add 

 much to the cheerful vernal aspect of the garden and 

 homeground. 



^^dudixvui-^<j^&bu 



'Northeast Harbor, Me. 



Roses Under Glass 



REPOTTING AND CARE 



Repotting is one of the most important of the grow- 

 er's duties at this season, and stress of other work should 

 prove no excuse for neglecting this duty. Our next 

 season's success depends entirely upon the condition of 

 the stock we plant and if this be weak, starved and pot- 

 bound the produce will find neither a ready nor early 

 market. A half-inch shift is preferred by some growers 

 to a larger one. This, while entailing more work, saves 

 a good deal of room — an item of some importance just 

 now. Plants shifted from a 21/2 inch to a 3 inch pot 

 require no drainage. The bulk of the soil added is so 

 small that, providing the soil is properly packed and 

 the material upon which they are set is free from mud, 

 there is no danger of souring. 



For a half-inch shift the soil used should be rather 

 fine and not too moist. Disturb the ball as little as 

 possible and leave ample room for water. It is advis- 

 able when using new pots not to mix them with the old 

 ones, as they absorb so much moisture that the amount 

 of water necessary in the first watering would reduce the 



soil in the old pots to the consistency of mud. Repotted 

 plants should not be allowed to accumulate until there 

 is not a vacant space left in the potting shed. Draughts 

 are very injurious to the soft young growths; and could 

 a more draughty place be devised than the average pot- 

 ting shed ? 



Young stock, by reason of its soft growing condition, 

 is very susceptible to mildew, and a prey to green fly and 

 red spider, and great care must be taken to guard 

 against these pests if a reputation for good stock is 

 desired. 



Watering young plants in pots is a tedious operation 

 if done properly, and to obtain the best results requires 

 good judgment and plenty of patience. When syring- 

 ing the grafted plants use as little pressure as possible 

 until they are staked and tied, and even then it is not 

 advisable to syringe with the freedom that you would 

 own root stock. 



