May 10, 1913 



HORTICULTUKE 



703 



CONDCCTED BY 



OUTDOOR VEGETABLES AND FRUIT 



Questions by our readers In line with any of the topics presented on this page will be cordially received and promptly answered 

 by Mr. Jenkins. Such communications sbonld Invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTUKE. 



Ltttuce 



A pan or flat of lettuce seed should be sown about 

 every two weeks so as to keep up a constant supply and 

 we believe that by sowino; this way and frequent trans- 

 planting the future crop is better assured than by sowing 

 in drills outside or in frames. 



Growing in Cold Frames 



As the cold frames will be of very little service after 

 tlie end of May until autumn weather sets in, I would 

 i^uggest to all who are troiibled by their lettuce bolting 

 in the months of July and August that they grow crops 

 in the frames all summer. Since we adopted this 

 method we have never been troubled by the lettuce run- 

 ning to seed in hot dry weather. First, the soil in the 

 frames is generally light and rich; further, it is mostly 

 where the hose is nearby and it seems as if the protec- 

 tion afforded by the sides of the frames prevents too 

 rapid drying. Then there is the ease with which a 

 newly transplanted crop may be shaded for a day or two 

 until the roots have taken hold of the soil. Finally 

 while the ordinary methods of culture in the garden 

 are hazardous in the critical months, frame culture 

 seems to be certain. Big Boston has been our gi'eat 

 standby as far as varieties go. We have found May 

 King very good for early and late work. The Cos va- 

 rieties thrive equally well under the treatment here 

 advocated. 



String and Lima Beans 



Though there is still some danger of cold snaps the 

 season is sufficiently advanced to risk sowings of string 

 and Lima beans, especially on soils that are sandy and 

 light. If the Limas are sown in pots in the greenhouse 

 or a warm frame and kept going till about May '^0 and 

 then planted out, a little time will be gained especially 

 if the usual cold spell which comes about the middle of 

 the month should materialize. 



Carrots for Exhibitions 



Prepare the holes for these just the same as recom- 

 mended for parsnips in a jirevious number of Horti- 

 culture and sow a few seed of New Eed Intermediate 

 or Long Red Surrey on each hole, thinning down to the 



strongest looking plant as soon as they are large enough 

 to handle. Holes sliould be spaced about one foot apart 

 and rows about eighteen inches. 



Ailsa Craig Onions; Leeks; Globe Artichokes 



These ea^ly-.^o\^u vogutaljles should be planted out uii 

 the first favorable opportunity, choosing if possible a 

 cloudy day. The land for these having previously been 

 prepared, should be in tine mellow condition. The 

 onions will be planted in rows eightCt'n inches apart and 

 one foot between each plant. The leeks are lietter plant- 

 ed in trenches in single lows and also one foot between 

 each plant. For the globe artichokes four feet apart 

 each way is non too much. Each and every one of tliese 

 will be the better for a light mulch of half-decayed 

 manure as soon as possible after planting. 



Mulching Strawberries 



Get the mulch on the strawberries early; it will help 

 to conserve the moisture. As the main purpose of this 

 mulch is to keep tlie berries clean we use clean straw 

 or else the long grass raked from the lawn. 



Treatment of Potatoes to Prevent Scab 



The use of fovmaJdchyde for the prevention of scab 

 on potatoes is growing in favor yearly. Mix one pint of 

 formaldehyde with fifteen gallons of water and put the 

 seed potatoes into soak for about an hour just before 

 planting. 



The Currant Worm 



This worm is due just about now and if not care- 

 fully watched for some of the bushes will be stripped of 

 their foliage before you are aware of their presence. 

 Hellebore put on with a powder bellows in the morn- 

 ing while the dew is on the leaves is the best and safest 

 remedy. 



Melons; Egg Plants; Peppers; Tomatoes 



These should all be where they can be exposed to full 

 air day and night so as to harden them ready for plant- 

 ing out. Under this treatment the plants will lose a 

 little of that luxurious appearance which the greenliouse 

 treatment generally gives them, but will feel the shock 

 of planting out the less and will ultimately thrive the 

 lietter for it. 



rhododendrons, Koster blue s])ruce, kalmias, etc.. being 

 brought in free by reason of fraudulent entries as ever- 

 green seedlings; it will also make large evergreens 5 

 years old or more dutiable at lo per cent, advalorem un- 

 der Section 216. 



These amendments correct and simplify the tariff im- 

 mensely as applied to horticultural imports. It will 

 make it much easier for the customs officials to detect 

 and correct fraudulent entries, it should avoid expense 

 to honest importers now that "Evergreen Seedlings," 

 "Briar Roses," etc., are defined, and it will largely pre- 

 vent the confusion and abuses which have arisen under 

 former tariffs owing to incorrect varying Treasury de- 

 cisions handed down at different ports of entry on the 

 one item. These amendments do not change the rates 



(if duty on proposed tariff in any way. To have recom- 

 mended them would have meant the defeat of our impor- 

 tant demands — a tariff free from errors and ambiguities. 

 Let us take this opportunity of thanking you, the 

 Government officials, Congi-essmen and the numerous 

 friends in the trade who have helped and supported us 

 in this campaign, the benefits of which are obvious to 

 every florist, nurseryman and seedsman in the United 

 States who either directly or indirectly handles imported 



'New York. 



