June 28, 1913 



HOBTICULTUBE 



949 



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 this page will be cordially received and promptly answered 

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



Acacias 



Acacias should now be plunged out of doors to get the 

 benefit of the bracing summer air. Sink the pots to 

 their rims into any loose and well drained soil, placing 

 them convenient to the hose as they like to be syringed 

 during all bright weather. Give them a look over twice 

 a day for water at the roots so that they may never stand 

 dry for any length of time. About every two weeks turn 

 the pots around so they will not root through into the 

 bed. Those that are rather pot-bound can have some 

 weak liquid feeding once a week which will greatly help 

 them to make good wood and foliage. Propagation can 

 now be done with half-ripened wood in sand in a close 

 frame where the cuttings can be kept shaded and mod- 

 erately moist by a spraying once or twice a day. They 

 will take some little time to root, but should be potted 

 just as soon as the roots are about half an inch long, in 

 a mixture of turfy loam three parts, cow manure and 

 leaf mold one part each, and enough of sand to make it 

 light. 



Care of Pelargoniums 



All these plants intended for propagation should have 

 the water supply gradually reduced so the wood will have 

 a chance to ripen up. Pelargoniums intended to pro- 

 duce young stock should have at least seven or eight 

 weeks' rest, after which they can be repotted using a rich 

 compost of turfy loam three parts well decayed cow 

 manure one part, and about the same amount of leaf 

 mold. Provide each pot with plenty of drainage as they 

 will not stand for any stagnation at the roots. After 

 they are repotted they should be given a very light and 

 airy place on a bench that is well up to the glass. Give 

 water in moderate quantity until they begin to make 

 root action and keep well syringed overhead. 



Young Primulas 



With the rush of other spring work, there is great 

 danger of overlooking those useful winter plants, the 

 primulas. Where they are in 2-inch pots and fairly 

 well rooted they should have a shift into 3-inch pots. 

 Give them a compost of fibrous loam, four parts, leaf 

 mold that is not too old, one part, well rotted cow manure 

 one part,, and a little sand. All primulas like a cool 

 place and are benefited by a little shade, so move them 

 into a coldframe, which is the ideal location, for them in 

 .summer. From the first of June until the first of 

 September they are better when grown under shade made 

 of ordinary building laths, which can be put on as the 

 sun begins to get strong in the morning, and taken off 

 late in the afternoon when it is on the wane. Go over 

 the frames two or three times a day, giving every atten- 

 tion in the way of watering and syringing. Keep shift- 



ing into larger pots until you have them in their flower- 

 ing sizes which will be all the way from a 4-inch up to 

 a 6-inch pot. For a compost use fibrous loam three parts, 

 cow manure and leaf mold one part each. 



Decorative Plants 



We are now at a season when most decorative plants 

 do their best growing and the cultivator's chief aim from 

 this out is to prevent their growth from becoming too 

 soft and fiabby. See that shading is not too densely 

 done — Just enough to break the direct rays of the sun 

 and cause a hazy light through the plants. Wliile they 

 will require a certain amount of moisture in the air do 

 not give an overplus of stagnant humidity, which is only 

 too likely to occur. On all favorable occasions abundant 

 ventilation should therefore be in order. Plants of ad- 

 vaned age and size, that have become excessively root- 

 bound should now be repotted. All plants of this class 

 yet on parade in overcrowded show house or narrow 

 quarters should be spread apart, while room in other 

 houses is now unoccupied. Infested plants should be 

 given a thorough cleaning, and sponging, even if not just 

 needed, will be of great benefit and should not be con- 

 sidered a waste of time. A little time to spacing and 

 sorting into different grades and sizes at frequent in- 

 tervals will be work well spent. 



Sowing Perennials 



Now that bedding plants are all planted out there 

 will be plenty of room in the frames to sow hardy 

 perennial seed. You can sow up to the middle of July 

 and have nice strong plants by the fall. Give the soil in 

 the frames a coating of manure and dig it over well, 

 breaking all the lumps. Go over it with a rake to make it 

 fine and level and when it is in a good mellow state draw 

 shallow rows up and down the frame about six inches 

 apart and sow the seed. A good rule is to cover each 

 variety about three times their diameter and press the 

 surface over moderately firm. After watering keep them 

 shaded until they .start to germinate when they should 

 have full sun. Always bear in mind never to let them 

 dry out as evaporation is great at this time. Wlien the 

 seedlings have progressed so they can be handled they 

 should be transplanted to other quarters. Keep them 

 well cultivated during the summer. 



Outdoor Work 



The principal care outside now will be to keep the 

 stock in a good grovsdng condition. Go through the 

 plants every week, whether in the field, beds or borders, 

 to keep them free from weeds. Cultivation, to stir the 

 surface of the soil, should be done frequently as it not 

 only prevents the weeds from growing but helps the soil 

 to retain the moisture in dry weather. 



Mr. Farrell's next notes will be on the following: Getting Ready for Carnations; Greenhouse Building; Miltonia vexillaria; 

 Pansies for Next Winter ; Young Ferns for Dishes ; Sowing Late Annuals. 



