April 5, 1913 



H E T I C U L T U B E 



499 



ROSE GROWING UNDER GLASS 



^ CONDUCTED B¥ 



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

 by Mr. Ruzicka. Such communications shonld invariably be addressed to the office of HORTI(,U1.iukih. 



Mulching Outside Roses 



Now is the best time to apply a good mulch to all 

 outside roses before the buds start. Apply a good coat- 

 ing of bonemeal to the beds first and follow with a light 

 mulch of manure. Then any coarse material that will 

 keep the weeds down and help to hold the moisture 

 which is so essential to the growth of the plants. Of 

 course all outside roses will have been pruned by this 

 time, and if they have not been pruned as yet they should 

 be pruned at once. 



The object of the early mulch is to have all the work 

 done before the young shoots appear, so as not to break, 

 or otherwise damage them. Then, too, where water is 

 bound to be a little scarce this early mulch will help 

 greatly to keep the soil from drying out as it naturally 

 would if no protection was given. Mulched beds go 

 many weeks without showing effect of drought, long after 

 those not mulched have succumbed to the dry weather. 



The Ventilatofs at Night 



Now that the warmer weather is here to stay do not 

 be afraid to leave a crack of air on all night. This will 

 especially apply to new houses that are almost air tight. 

 During the heavy March winds it would not be advisable 

 to carry much air, but any still night should find the 

 ventilators open a little at least even though a little arti- 

 ficial heat has to be used to hold up the temperature of 

 the houses. 



Letting the Fires Out 



It would hardly be advisable to let any of the fires out 

 with the first few rays of warm sunshine. Keep the 

 houses up to the standard as far as temperature is con- 

 cerned. It will pay in the long run, for letting the 

 houses go down below normal, mildew will surely fol- 

 low, and with the foliage spoiled by mildew the cut 

 blooms never sell so well. We cannot tell what kind of 

 weather this year will bring; last year we had to have 

 steam all summer long, with the exception of a week or 

 two. 



Cracked Ice in Boxes 



For shipments that have to travel and great distance 

 cracked ice is the only way to keep the roses from opening 

 up. Growers should bear in mind that the cut blooms 

 have to pass through two hands usually before the cus- 

 tomer who buys from the retail florists gets them, and 

 such customers expect them to last a while. 



The Young Stock 



We do not know how other sections of the country 

 fared in regard to weather the last few days, we having 

 only rain, fog and wind. This is by no means ideal 

 weather for promoting plant growth, and to say the 

 least it is poor weather for young plants. Young 



Beauties will take a little air slacked lime almost every 

 night, if the day has been dull and damp. This should 

 be applied with a pair of bellows, blowing it well under- 

 neath the foliage of the plants. Of course do not white- 

 wash them by any means, and have the lime as dry as 

 practical, so it would absorb as much of the moisture in 

 the air as possible. 



Greenfly 



If the plants are free from this pest a little tobacco 

 dust scattered over them every now and then will keep 

 it out almost altogether without use of other insecticides. 

 If, however, there are traces of fly this tobacco will never 

 rid the plants of them, although it may keep them from 

 spreading so fast. 



Syringing 



Never neglect this important feature in the produc- 

 tion of roses. There has been enough in these columns 

 about Mr. Spider lately so that there is little excuse for 

 anyone to feel unacquainted with the little brute. Be 

 careful and syringe the young plants with a steady 

 stream of water, so as not to shake them loose in the 

 pots. Be careful to syringe out all the corners well, and 

 examine the plants carefully every now and then to 

 make sure there is no such thing as a nest of spiders 

 around. Often we have found what we term a "nest" 

 in places where we least expected, too. This goes to 

 show that even the best growers are likely to have a lit- 

 tle spider here and there, but as long as they know it is 

 there and do their best to rid the plants of it there is 

 little cause to worry. 



Picking Yellow Leaves 



It is no credit to a place or grower to have his benches 

 strewn with dead leaves, and we are sure every one could 

 find time to dispose of some of them at least. The best 

 way is to pick them all up right after syringing, as there 

 are only a few then, and afterwards keep the benches 

 clean. Once you allow them to accumulate dirt, they 

 will be very hard to get into order again. In picking 

 leaves do not scratch over the surface of soil much, as 

 this v.'0uld disturb the tiny rootlets and damage the 

 plants somewhat, although no visible sign of the harm 

 done would appear. 



Sod Heaps 



If your sod heaps have not been put up in the fall, 

 you certainly ought to get busy, and as soon as the soil 

 is dry enough to handle, have them all put up and 

 ready. Should you make a practice of plowing land, and 

 taking the soil direct to the benches, begin plowing at 

 once, if the soil conditions will allow. Sod heaps put up 

 in the fall can be cut down now and receive their first 

 turning. This will greatly help in preparing the soil so 

 that the young plants can take a hold into it as soon as 

 they are planted. 



shaded and the moss moist all the time until the union 

 is formed. 



Packing Strawberries 

 It is easy to crate strawberries in the small baskets 

 when you have them in quantity. Those grown in the 

 greenhouse are scarcely able to be numbered by the crate. 



Every individual berry will be wanted, consequently 

 greater care must be exercised in packing. Use shallow 

 wooden boxes deep enough to take one layer only. Line 

 these with cotton wool and wrap each berry separately in 

 wax paper, placing more cotton on the top before tacking 

 on the lid. Berries for shipping should be under-ripe. 



