Octotei 1-7, 1908 



rtORTlCULl URL 



613 



THE HOME OF THE NEW RED CARNATION, O. P. BASSETT 



100,1 iOO 



plants of which were sold at the S. A. F. Convention. 



as to the relative merits of different 

 varieties, unless it can be shown that 

 the soil type is equally well adapted 

 to all of the varieties grown. It is, 

 however, in determining the varieties 

 that will likely prove most remunera- 

 tive to the individual grower that such 

 tests have their real value. For with 

 a single bench, in one season, infor- 

 mation of vast importance for his fu- 

 ture guidance is readily obtained. 

 Vague Definitions. 



Just what determines the peculiar 

 fitness of a soil for the growth of cer- 

 tain plants or varieties of these plants 

 is yet to be determined. 



The books on rose culture stale gen- 

 erally that the proper soil to use Is a 

 well drained loam, many authors add- 

 ing that it should have a smooth or 

 greasy feeling. This description, while 

 somewhat vague, is yet helpful, for 

 It cautions us to beware of heavy 

 clays and coarse sands and brings 

 before us the necessity of good drain- 

 age. But the term loam even in its 

 technical sense is a very elastic one 

 and soils may be very different in some 

 of their most important features and 

 still be properly classeil as loams. The 

 provision that it should have a 

 smooth or greasy feeling somewhat re- 

 stricts the original description and 

 brings it within the limits of the class 

 of soils known as silt loams. The 

 smooth or greasy feeling that is found 

 in a soil when pressed between the 

 thumb and finger is a consequence of 

 the presence of silt, the finest sized 

 particles excepting clay that go to 

 make up a soil. The amount present 

 may vary to a considerable degree 

 without altering the feeling, although 

 materially affecting the character of 

 the soil. This variation in the relative 

 proportions of the different sized soil 

 particles is the basis of soil classifica- 

 tions. Upon it also depends the per- 

 meability to air and to water, re- 

 sponses to changes in temperature, 

 retention of moisture, and other phy- 

 sical properties of a soil. It is an im- 

 portant factor in determining the 

 general adaptation of a soil, and there 

 can be but little doubt that modifica- 

 tions in texture greatly affect the 

 adaptation of a soil to varieties. There 



are other conditions to be ta',:en into 

 account however, and we must carry 

 our investigations on from a number 

 of standpoints in order to arrive at a 

 solution of this problem. 



Co-operations of Growers Needed. 



In carrying out the investigation of 

 this interesting and important soil 

 problem it is planned to secure sam- 

 ples of soils from various growers with 

 whom the cultivation of certain varie- 

 ties is made a specialty and to obtain 

 from them the necessary information 

 to enable us to understand the condi- 

 tions under which their plants are 

 grown. To this end a circular letter 

 has been sent a number of growers 

 requesting the samples and inorma- 

 tion desired. While our studies have 

 ;iol b' en r-a tied on fai enough to war- 

 rant our drawing any conclusions at 

 the present time, yet the outlook is 

 most encouraging, and we have every 

 reason to believe that before long we 

 will be able to state a definite relation 

 between some on the soils and varie- 

 ties. 



In this matter we mast have the co- 

 operation cf the g.uwers, and I am 

 glad to say that we have found them 

 ready and willing to supply the infor- 

 mation and samples necessary to in- 

 sure the success of this investigation. 



still in bloom. It has been a matter 

 of great surprise and admiration to 

 passersby, who were naturally aston- 

 i- tied to see a hardy climbing rose in 

 1 loom at this season. As Delight is 

 cne of the hardiest as well as the most 

 1 illiant of the Ramblers, its introduc- 

 t on is a memorable step forward in 

 g mien roses, and Mr. Walsh has thus 

 still further endeared himself to the 

 1 jvers of the Queen of Flowers. 



NEWS NOTES. 



I. P. Hersey has taken charge of the 

 greenhouses of Mr. Henry A. Belcher, 

 Randolph, Mass. 



The Rustic Construction Co., 34 Ful- 

 ton st., New York, has filed a pe- 

 tition in bankruptcy. 



The store of John Robertson on 

 Conn. Ave., Washington, is greatly 

 beautified by improvements which he 

 has had made recently. 



Mr. Robert Rahaley of the Michigan 

 Cut Flower Exchange who went to Mt. 

 Clemens last week reports prospects 

 for large crops of good quality. 



A PERPETUAL BLOOMING RAM- 

 BLER ROSE. 



We have received from M. H. Walsh 

 a box of flowers cut from his crimson 

 Rambler rose Delight. This rose has 

 been blooming freely all through Sep- 

 tember, after having produced the 

 usual summer crop of flowers, an 1 is 



It is reported that a colony of wo- 

 men is to be located at Bellecrest, L. 

 I., N. Y., to raise fruit and flowers by 

 electricity. Mme. Davidoff, a Rus- 

 sian-American, is the promoter. 



Cleary's Horticultural Company 

 ion room at 62 Yesey street, New 

 York, is drawing big crowds every 

 Tuesday and Friday now with a lot of 

 extra quality consignments of bulbs 

 and hardy material, imported and 

 home-grown. 



DECORATIVE PLANTS 



Araucaria Excelsa, Pandanus Utilis, Dracaena 



Indivisa, Ktntias, Latanias, Arecas, Etc. 



Perennials and Shrubs. 



Send for our price list. We have a complete stock 



The Geo. Wattbold Co. 



1657 Buckingham Place, Chicago, III. 



