January 25, 1913 



HORTICULTURE 



107 



ROSE GROWING UNDER GLASS 



CONDUCTED BY 



i/uCyfiyi^-^A-<^J^-<^ 



Questions by our readers in line with any of the topics presented on this page will be cordially received and promtply aniwered 

 by Mr. Kuzicka. Such communications should invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



Care of Cuttings 



One cannot be too careful in the propagating houses 

 this warm damp weather, and we all should realize what 

 a little neglect at these times may be responsible for in 

 the future. Keep right after the temperature and see 

 to it that it does not change suddenly, maintaining it as 

 evenly as you would in the houses. 



Waterings 



The first few days that the cuttings are in sand they 

 will require water every day, if the weather is at all cool. 

 Of course it m;iy happen that a cloudy spell may come 

 just then and but little fire heat can be used, then of 

 course water will have to be kept away. 



I?ight here drainage plays a very important part. 

 Always make sure that the propagating bench is very 

 perfectly drained before putting any cuttings into it. 

 Improperly drained benches are responsible for large 

 losses in cuttings. And not only that, but there are 

 many diseases that seem to be lying in wait, and will 

 spring up at the plants almost any time when favorable 

 conditions will allow. Therefore prevent spot, damping 

 off, black root rot, and many other diseases by always 

 keeping ideal conditions in the propagating houses. 

 Proper drainage, proper ventilation, careful watering, 

 are great factors toward success. There is little luck; 

 hard and careful work is the only "luck" we know of. 



Always try to water in the morning, and as suggested 

 before, try to have the water almost the same tempera- 

 ture as that in the sand. This will keep the cuttings 

 from being chilled. It often takes hours to bring the 

 heat in the sand up to where it should be, after all the 

 sand has been soaked with ice water. By no means have 

 the water warmer than the heat in the sand (62 F.), as 

 this would be likely to turn the leaves yellow. 



Blackspot Among Cuttings 



It is not wise to take cuttings from plants that have 

 had a dose of spot and still show some of it here and 

 there. Take cuttings from plants that are free from it 

 and you will be likely to have but little trouble. Should 

 a spot appear here and there, pick them off and burn 

 them before they have a chance to spread all over the 

 bench. This can be done if you will watch the cuttings 

 close enough. Then spray with the ammoniacal copper 

 carbonate, being very careful to merely fog the leaves, 

 not drench the whole bench, sand and all, which would 

 do more harm than good and is very wasteful besides. 



Roses Outside 



These can be gone over this mild weather and pruned 

 and cut back as may be necessary. All weeds can also 

 be pulled out and the plants given a good dose of bone. 

 Burn all clippings, it being best to have something along 

 to put them into so that they will not be lying all over 

 tlie place. Do not for a minute think that they will 

 decay, for they will be very slow about it and if you have 

 to handle the soil around them much you will wish many 

 times that you had burned all the twigs. 



Liquid Manure 



By the first of February all the plants wUl be used to 

 the light dose of liquid manure and from then on it can 

 be increased in strength, according to the requirements 

 of the plants. Plants that are growing freely and show 

 signs of a crop will take more than plants that are just 

 coming into crop, where plants that have just cut a good 

 crop will not take any until after they have started to 

 grow again. Where it can be done, boil the liquid ma- 

 nure with steam, and apply while still warm; — not hot, 

 mind you, but just warm enough to take the chill off the 

 water. A little bonemeal can also be added, to make the 

 mixture a little more spicy. Soot is also nice but should 

 not be used in any large quantities. 



Be very careful not to have the plants too dry when 

 about to water with liquid manure. This would likely 

 hurt the roots and you do not want to do that as it is 

 trouble enough to make these grow, so do not kill any of 

 them. It is best to water vrith liquid manure after 

 going over the bench with clear water. Water thorough- 

 ly with clear water if the plants appear dry at all, and 

 then apply enough liquid to go through the bench nicely. 



The Pots 



Are your pots all ready to receive the cuttings that are 

 now in the sand ? Be sure they are clean. We all want 

 clean surroundings, so why stick a young healthy plant 

 into an unclean flower pot ? To say the least it is not a 

 square deal for the plant, and chances are it wiU soon 

 show it too. If you are short of any size order at once 

 to have them on hand when the cuttings are ready to 

 come out of the sand. There is nothing in keeping cut- 

 tings in the sand just because there are no pots. With 

 the present low prices, there is no excuse why a suf- 

 ficient number should not be on hand. Those that took 

 our advice and washed all their pots during the hot days 

 of the summer months will find it very nice now to go 

 over to the pot storage and get what they want. 



manent quarters. Use a mixture of three parts leaf 

 soil, two of loam and one of sand to sow them on. Do 

 not cover the seeds with soil ; place a piece of glass 

 over the flat with paper on the top to retain the moisture. 

 This must be removed gradually as the seeds germinate, 

 which will be about two days after sowing, if placed in a 

 temperature of 50 to 55. 



Onions and Leeks 



As stated three weeks ago, onions and leeks do not want 

 to be left long in the seed pans or flats. Being deep 



rooting things they grow right away and when left some 

 roots cannot help being broken off, which can ill be 

 spared at this young stage. Have the requisite number 

 of 21/2 size ready washed. There is more in having 

 these pots clean than the casual observer might imagine. 

 Besides looking better they admit more air to the roots 

 and let the pots dry out quicker, which are good advan- 

 tages at this time of year. Use rich soil, a little heavier 

 than in which the seeds were sown. Water the seedlings 

 in soon after potting and keep them sprayed over con- 

 tinually in good weather. 



