June 7, 1913 



HORTICULTURE 



853 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



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

 by Mr. Parrell Sucb communications sliould invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



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YOI^S 



Care of Adiantum 



A house or bench where they can have a temperature 

 of at least 60 degrees at night, a rich compost made of 

 new fibrous soil three parts, well-rotted cow manure and 

 leaf mold one part each and some sand, with ample 

 drainage, are the first essentials for adiantimi growing. 

 Plants from 2i/o or 3-ineh pots will make fine stock to 

 plant. Do not crowd them but give at least 13 inches 

 between each way. Water rather carefully at first ; just 

 around the plants will do. Now that the sun is power- 

 ful they require quite a heavy shade. Keep the soil 

 between the plants freely cultivated and clear of weeds. 



Compost for Bench Crops 



Sod that was cut last fall and has had the action of 

 the frost and snow on it will make the foundation to 

 mix up any compost needed to fill the houses. This 

 bench soil should have enough manure mixed through 

 it to make it rich in available plant food. A satisfac- 

 tory mixture for most crops cultivated under glass can 

 be made by using three parts of rotten sods to one of 

 well-decayed cow manure and a liberal quantity of bone 

 dust intermixed. This compost should be shoveled 

 over two or three times so that all the ingredients will 

 be well intermixed. Now that the planting season is 

 with us do not lose any time in getting your compost 

 into the very best shape. It may be some work and 

 extra expense but it will surely pay in the end. 



Gardenias 



For next season's gardenias June is undoubtedly the 

 best month to get the work under way. After removing 

 all the plants and old soil make sure to wash out every 

 corner of the benches well, then give a heavy coating of 

 hot lime. A little straw should then be spread to keep 

 the soil from going through the drainage. The plants 

 should be set about 15 or 16 inches apart. With this 

 space between the plants a 32 to 36-inch bench should 

 only have three rows of plants. Wliat is essentially 

 necessary, to be successful with gardenias is to make use 

 of a good porous soil. A good compost can be made 

 with three parts of very fibrous soil with one part of 

 well-rotted cow manure and enough clean sand to make 

 it porous. Never plant a dry plant. The ball should 

 always be moist, and do not allow the plants to be out 

 of the pots too long before planting. Firm the soil 

 around the ball well. After planting, soak the whole 

 bench, after which water only the ball of the plant as 

 necessary. Syringe freely on all good days both over 

 and under the foliage. 



Mr. Farrell's next notes will be on the following: Cosmos; Cyprlpediums; Ficus elastica ; Hydrangeas; Mignonette; Lemon Verbenas. 



Rest Callas 



Callas should now have the water supply reduced 

 gradually whether grown in pots or on a bench. Those 

 that are planted out in benches should be done very 

 gradually at first until the foliage shows signs of ripen- 

 ing up by turning yellow, when they can be lifted and 

 the soil well shaken out. These tubers should be stored 

 in dry sand in a cool dry place until wanted again for 

 planting. Those that were grown in pots can be placed 

 on their sides, often they have ripened a little, in some 

 place where they can bake in full sun. Callas will not 

 fiower well if they do not have about eight, or nine 

 weeks of a rest. Those that were grown in benches will 

 have quite a few offsets which can be broken oS and 

 planted out in rich ground where they will make good 

 growth and can be lifted in September and potted up. 



Planting Smilaz 



If it is possible to spare the room for smilax the first 

 half of June is not too soon to plant out. At least 8 feet 

 of head room is required for smilax. If to be grown 

 without benches use 6 to 7 inches of good rose soil, or 

 soil of a heavy nature. While many growers prefer to 

 plant in the center of a house without benches, it is 

 really safest to use a bench, for only then is the soil 

 under control. While smilax likes moisture it will not 

 stand for too much of it, yellow leaves and a sickly 

 growth resulting. An over-moist condition is likely to 

 happen when the beds are prepared on the ground. 

 Twelve inches between the rows and 10 inches in the 

 rows is about right for the plants. Water first around 

 the ball until they begin to fill the soil with roots when 

 the whole bed can be soaked. Give plenty of ventilation 

 whenever possible. When they begin to show runners 

 give them Silkaline to take hold of. Do not wait until 

 they become intergrown with one another, which is sure 

 to make trouble later on. When growing well give a 

 mulch of well-rotted cow manure. 



Sweet Peas 



Now that we are coming into warm weather sweet 

 peas will need every attention to keep them in a grow- 

 ing and flowering condition as long as possible. Keep 

 them well cultivated and hoed with a thorough watering 

 once or twice a week which should be followed by a cul- 

 tivation the next day. This will place them in good 

 condition to receive a mulching between the rows later 

 on which helps to keep the soil cool and better able to 

 retain whatever moisture they may get. Keep all the 

 seed pods picked ofE as fast as they may appear, which 

 will , help considerably in extending their flowering 

 season. 





