May 3, 1913 



HOETICULTURE 



667 



ROSE GROWING UNDER GLASS 



, CONDUCTKD BY 



Qa«8tlons by our readers In line with anj of the topic* presented on this page will be cordially received and promptly answered 

 by Mr. Ruzlcka. Such communications shoold invarjably be addressed to the office of HORTICXJtTUKB. 



Sulphur and Its Usm 



At times during this season of tlie year a little mildew 

 on the plants cannot be avoided, and the iirst thing we 

 turn to is the old fungicide, sulphur. Now sulphur is 

 a very good fungicide, and is the main ingredient in 

 many fungicide preparations. However it must be used 

 with care, or its application will do much more harm 

 than good. Where steam is used for heating the sim- 

 plest way is to apply a little here and there to the 

 steam pipes. The older houses with the three-quarter- 

 span and twenty feet wide will take only one pipe, with 

 the sulphur spread on it or rather painted on every ten 

 or twelve feet. It is best to apply the sulphur direct to 

 the hot pipe although too hot a pipe is not wanted. 

 About eight pounds of steam is plenty when the sulphur 

 is applied. Many growers will mix a little lime into 

 the sulphur, claiming it is much safer to use. This may 

 be well when the sulphur is blown on the plants with a 

 pair of bellows, as it lessens the danger of burning the 

 leaves, especially when it is or has to be applied by inex- 

 perienced help. The lime in the sulphur helps to distri- 

 bute it so that only a few particles can settle to a leaf, 

 and more is not wanted. 



Mulching 



Houses that are to remain for quite some time to come 

 can still be mulched and this will help wonderfully in 

 giving extra vigor to the plants also help to keep up the 

 quality of the cut blooms. Do not use any fresh manure 

 for this purpose as it will be likely to burn the foliage. 

 When no other is to be had we would rather use soil and 

 bonemeal for mulch and then give the plants plenty of 

 liquid to help keep them in good shape. If it has to be 

 applied, then apply it only to one bench at a time taking 

 a good many days to finish the house. Give plenty of 

 air all the time and do not let the houses run too warm 

 during the day. 



Manure for the Fall Mulching 



Hight now is the time to get the manure pile ready 

 and have it in prime shape when it is wanted in the fall. 

 It is best to use manure that is a year old and has been 

 turned over several times, to bring it to a very fine con- 

 dition and make it available to the plants. A least bit 

 of soil can be added, preferably sod, as sod absorbs a 

 large amount of the liquids that would otherwise go to 

 waste. Many growers will treat the manure pile with 

 a "it-is-a-nuisance," but when it comes to the facts the 

 manure well prepared is one of the secrets of growing 

 good roses, and we think a good manure pile is a great 

 asset when it comes to rose growing. 



Tying 



During these busy days of spring, we are very likely 

 to let things slip a little, but unless this cannot be avoid- 

 ed it is best to try to keep things in shape. Among the 

 first that shows neglect are American Beauties. These 

 feel it more than any other roses, and the loss is consid- 

 erable more than it would be with any other variety. It 

 is hard to keep untied plants free from insects; besides 

 the poor stems and foliage of the twisted shoots of the 

 plants are a great detriment. 



Disbudding 



This, too, is bound to be neglected a bit, and, if so, 

 this will greatly prey upon the vitality of the plants and 

 bring nothing in return but loss and that is all. There 

 are too many other good flowers in the market for people 

 to bother with poor roses. Try to keep up the good 

 quality for each box and your roses will be sought, and 

 never have to go begging for a buyer. 



We wish to correct a mistake in our notes of last 

 week in which we referred to S. S. Pennoek's paper on 

 "The Faults of the Grower" as having been presented 

 at Pittsburgh. We should have said Lancaster, Pa. 



Order Your Decoration Day Flowers and Supplies Early. 



Get Your Young Stock for Growing on For Next Season. 

 Get These and Your Choice Seeds and Roots From the 



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