August 1, 1908 



HORTICULTURE 



131 



seasons of the year offers ample scope for the enter- 

 prise of the eastern grower who cares to practice inten- 

 sive cultivation and furnish a higher grade of produce 



than is now obtainable in our home markets is obvious. 

 Already we have followed French methods to a greater 

 degree than'any country perhaps with the exception of 

 Belgium. The French have the advantage of us in 

 their skill in using successive catch crops, cultivating 

 simultaneously three or four distinct crops in the same 

 frame and in such a manner that one does not interfere 

 with the success of any of the others. They are grow- 

 ing, too, a number of good things, especially in the way 

 of salads, which we have neglected 3 and for which there 

 is even now a limited demand here. We have better- 

 houses and equipment and our labor-saving devices prac- 

 tically offset their eheapeT labor. With the accumula- 

 tion of wealth the demand for these finer vegetables 

 must necessarily increase and certainly presents a prom- 

 ising, unoccupied field for economic horticulture in the 

 East. 



Iris laevigata (Kaempferi) 



The Japanese irises of our gardens are varieties and 

 improved forms of Iris laevigata (I. Kaempferi). The 

 species is a native of eastern Siberia and Japan. 



As a garden plant in Japan (here are very few other 

 plants that are so highly prized as these irises. The 

 many showy varieties and forms are thought not to be 

 hybrids but have been obtained by selection. Probably 

 the first varieties were brought to this country by 

 Thomas Hogg about the year 1869, but it took them 

 many years to become popular. Xow they are to be 

 found in almost every garden. 



They are easy to grow if a few cardinal points are 

 attended to. They like good rich, damp, soil: but dis- 

 like a position where water rests around their roots in 

 winter. When they are growing give them an abun- 

 dance of water and any extra care given in this way they 

 will amply repay by their wealth of blossoms and the 

 increased size of flowers. The situation which suits 

 them the best is one where they get the full benefit of 

 the sun. 



They may be transplanted in spring or fall, but if 

 done in the fall the transplanting should be early so that 

 the roots may get a good hold of the soil before the win- 

 ter sets in. 



There are an immense number of varieties but about 

 a dozen good distinct kinds will be enough for almost 

 any garden. The double forms are very pleasing and 

 very showy. The wonderful size of the flowers, often 

 eight to twelve incites in diameter, make them especially 

 valuable for garden decoration, but they are not very 

 valuable as cut flowers. They are a July flower and 

 finish up the iris season. To get the best effects they 

 are most pleasing when the masses are made up of dis- 

 tinct varieties. There is no class of plants that has 

 such confusion in their nomenclature, therefore I will 

 not give a list of names. 



Roses Under Glass 



Al l'Elt PLANTING 



As soon a- the planting is finished, the houses should 

 he given a thorough .leaning. All the walks should be 

 scraped clean of soil and a light covering of small ashes 

 applied. When table benches are in commission the 

 ground underneath should be raked and all debris, de- 

 cayed leaves and weeds carefully removed, as these, if 

 allowed to remain form excellent hiding and breeding 

 ] daces for all sorts of pests, especially red-spider and 



thrips, two of the si obnoxious of our insect enemies. 



The early planted stock, if not completed already, 

 should be staked and tied up at once. It is not advis- 

 able to allow the young growths to ramble and inter- 

 twine, as this condition invariable results in a crop of 

 blind or thin wood, which detracts from the appearance 

 of a plant and adds nothing to its value. 



Disbudding should be practiced at regular intervals, 

 and with the best judgment of which the grower is 

 capable. Nipping off the bud as soon as it shows itself 

 is admittedly an easy way of doing the work, but is 

 far from attaining tire object desired, which is to en- 

 courage the growth of strong and vigorous wood from 

 which we may expect to cut future crops of good salable 

 flowers. It is usually safe to cut off, along with the 

 bud, from two to four of the eyes immediately below 

 the bud, being guided in the number by the length and 

 strength of the stem. 



After tire first crop of weeds have been removed cul- 

 tivation should receive considerable attention, as it is a 

 great incentive to vigorous growth, and should be prac- 

 ticed freely until the roots approach the surface when 

 further cultivation would be injurious. Greenfly and 

 other insects should not be allowed to establish them- 

 selves on the plants. A light fumigating whenever the 

 weather will permit will serve to keep them in check, 

 as the constant syringing during the summer months is 

 a great help in keeping these pests in subjection. 



Too much importance cannot be attached to careful 

 handling of the ventilators, if we would escape the un- 

 welcome attentions of mildew. Abrupt changes of tem- 

 perature must be avoided as much as possible. At the 

 same time, plenty of fresh air day and night is one of 

 the most important factors in the development of 

 healthy, vigorous stock, hut should at all times be ad- 

 ministered with the most careful judgment. 



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