August 31, 1918 



HORTICULTUEE 



217 



Rose Growing 

 Under Glass 



Mulching 



Among tlie earlier jjlanted houses will be found 

 benches that will need a light mulch to protect the 

 roots and keep thcn> from drying out too rapidly on 

 these bright days. Use real old cow manure, as this 

 will make fine protection at the same time it will not 

 be too rich to apply during the still warm weather. Use 

 little if any soil w ith the manure il this is decayed at 

 all, for it will be a nuisance later on when the dark 

 weather comes. Water the benches well with clear water 

 and then apply a slight dusting of bonemeal after which 

 the benches are ready for thei manure. If this had been 

 turned over as much as it sho'.ild it ought to be pretty 

 well broken up, frc' from any big lumps. Apply just 

 enough to cover the surface. If a large amount is 

 applied the plants will never be able to take care of it, 

 and a large part cf it will l)e wasted. It would also 

 tend to keep the lienches much too wet. 



The Steam Boilers 



Katydids have been singing the last two or three 

 weeks and chilly nights are alr^-ady here, and these will 

 soon turn to frosty nights and that means steam. We 

 have always advised having everything in A Xo. 1 

 shape from grates to covering on steam mains, and this 

 will count more this year than any year, for unless 

 everything is in first class shape, coal will be wasted, 

 and this will not only be money our of the grower's 

 pocket but will Ije against the duty to the country these 

 war times as well. See that the grates are what they 

 should be, that the chimney is light and all dampers 

 work properly. See that all is right and then the fire 

 can be started when needed, which will be as soon as 

 the houses drop to 60 nights. A pipe of steam will 

 then be necessary, so that plenty of air can be carried 

 without chilling the plants. Keep plenty of air on all 

 the time and never close the houses down tight except 

 two or three hours when fumigating. The plants must 

 have air if they are to thrive and pay for their keep so 

 ventilate freely even if it takes a little heat. We are 

 bound to get a rainy or damp cold day now almost any 

 time and this is the kind of weather that will start 

 mildew- and spot unless heat is turned on and ventila- 

 tion open enough to admit plenty of fresh air. Get 

 your allotment of coal into the bins, and by all means 

 screen all ashes if you burn the larger sizes of coal. 

 The sereeninirs will make an excellent fuel when a slow 

 fire is needed or, mild nights. Also for banking. 



Lime 



Lime should be used freely after each watering or 

 syringing, also on wet rainy days. Apply it with a good 

 pair of bellows the last thing at night, about sunset if 

 possible as it is then that moisture begins to condense 

 and it is this moisture that causes a lot of mischief 



^,— - CONDUCTED 



CONDUCTED BY 



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Questions by our readers in Une with any of the topics pre- 

 sented on this page wlU be cordially received and promptly 

 answered by Sir. Ruzicka. Such communications should 

 invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



among the roses. Blow the lime so that it will arise 

 among the plants and will not blow across the bench 

 into the walk on tlu: other side. It is among the plants 

 that it is needed. Use dry air slacked lime, or hy- 

 drated lime. Th 're has been difficulty to get lime at 

 times and it would be well for growers to have their 

 supply laid in as it may be impossible to get it later 

 when transportation gets more congested. 



Pruning Back Plants 



If this work i.-- not already done, it should be attended 

 to as soon as is possible. After drying otf properly 

 cut and prune the taps so as to leave a good eyo or 

 two on every branch, and cut out all weak or blind 

 wood. After that water the plants well and keep them 

 well sprayed until they start. It is best not to mulch 

 at once, waiting tintil the plants are ready to start their 

 second growth, l^y this method there will be very few 

 plants lost, and there is no danger whatever of their 

 suffering from o\ei-watering. When finally the mulch 

 is applied the plants are in a fit condition to take it and 

 use it. If the plants were cared for at all before they 

 were dried off and dried off properly there should he 

 enough energy in tlie sap, and enough food stored away 

 among the roots to start the plants off in first class 

 shape. Keep then-, well sprayed on clear days and 

 especially on hot dpys, when they will take a quick spray- 

 ing every twenty minutes in well-drained houses. 

 Spray very quickly so as not to have the benches s-..ggy 

 with water. As socn as growth starts the sprays can b& 

 gradually omitted until the plants are in full leaf when 

 only regular syringings should be given. We have 

 given up using any soil with the manure applied as 

 mulch, and it seems to do very well. Also remove only 

 the loose soil on top of the benches when clearing for 

 the mulch. Said clearing should be done as soon as 

 the plants are cut down. When plants are growing only 

 in three inches ol soil it is not easy to remove much 

 without seriously int'jrfering with the roots. This 

 should be avoided as the roots contain all the sap, and 

 the more roots lost the less energy will the plants have. 

 When plants have to be transplanted they should he- 

 watered before lifting so as to avoid breaking the roots. 

 Then in planting spread the roots out well and never 

 bunch them. To firm w'e know of nothing better than 

 letting a man witii nice big broad feet get right ou the 

 bench and just tiamp the soil all down with his feet. 

 We have firmed bcjiches with a brick but this requires 

 experienced helji. Xeedless to say, tramping should he- 

 done right after jilanting before the benches are 

 watered. After the bench dries out a least bit go over 

 it at once and riili the surface of the soil over slightly 

 to loosen it up. I'o not go deep, and do no: use 

 scratchers of any j:mk1 except the fingers. Xewly trans- 

 planted plants will have to be watered carefully, and 

 only around the ]dant until the plants are well started. 

 Too much water \v-ill kill them quicker than keeping 

 them too dry. 



