March 12, 1910 



HOKTICULTURE 



377 



ROSES UNDER GLASS. 



A paper read hefor^ the Tar- 



rytowa llurticultuial Society 



by Andrew MoKeudry. 



I propagate my cut- 

 tings about the first week 

 in January, in clean, 

 sharp sand, using two- 

 eyed cuttings, as tliey 

 Diaiie plants quiclcer than 

 those with only one eye. 

 If the sand is kept at a 

 uniform temperature at 6.5 

 deg. and the overliead 

 temperature at 52 deg., the 

 cuttings will root in about 

 four to five weeks. They 

 are ready to pot when the 

 roots are about one inch 

 long. If allowed to make 

 any further growth in the 

 sand it will induce a weak 

 growth, as the substance 

 is not there to nourish the 

 plant. Two and one-half 

 inch pots are generally 

 used for the first potting, 

 using new soil, sifted 

 through a coarse screen. 

 A little leaf mould added 

 will hel]j lieep the soil 

 porous, and benefit the 

 the young roots. 



The young plants should 

 be placed in a rose house 

 teiuperature, watering 

 strictly attended to, and 

 syringing done every 

 bright day to keep the 



When the 2%-inch 

 filled with roots, 



A. L. Ml I.I LR 

 President, New York Florists' Cluli. 



red spider 

 in check. When the 2%-inch pots 

 are nicely filled with roots, shift 

 into 3-inch, adding a small portion of 

 well-rotted cow mantire. and a light 

 sprinkle of "Clay's Fertilizer" to the 

 soil; the plants to receive the same 

 treatment as before, keeping the buds 

 nipped off, which will cause the eyes 

 below to break, making a good, stocky 

 plant. Give the pots plenty of room 

 on the bench, allowing the air and sun- 

 light to get in through the plants. If 

 the plants are kept in a good healthy 

 condition they will require another 

 shift into 4-inch pots before plant- 

 ing in the bench, which time will 

 be about the latter part of May. The 

 house will have to undergo its usual 



cleaning, white-washing the benches, 

 etc. 



The compost to be used should be 

 good fibrous loam, two-thirds soil, and 

 one-third well-rotted cow manure, giv- 

 ing a good top dressing of bone-meal 

 after the soil is on the bench, and mix- 

 ing in well. 



For the first week or ten days after 

 planting, water only around the base 

 of the plants. When the roots begin 

 to find their way through the new soil 

 they will need more moisture. The 

 plants will need immediate staking 

 and tying to make them well-shaped 

 and to hold them in position so they 

 can be syringed properly. Any coo! 

 night should be taken advantage of to 

 fumigate. When the plants have been 



benched about six weeks 

 or two months they will 

 require an additional inch 

 or two of soil and manure, 

 equally mixed, as the 

 young roots will begin to 

 appear on the surface look- 

 ing for more nourishment. 

 During the short days of 

 November and December, 

 roses do not seem to 

 relish too much feeding, 

 for the plants are inclined 

 to be somewhat dormant, 

 and the roots not very ac- 

 tive. A light sprinkle of 

 "Clay's" once a week is 

 beneficial. The other chem- 

 ical fertilizers are also 

 vei-y good if properly used. 

 As the days begin to 

 lengthen and the sun gets 

 stronger, you will notice 

 that your benches begin 

 to dr.v out oftener, and at 

 the same time your plants 

 are making a more vig- 

 orous growth, which is 

 . a sure sign that the soil 

 is filling with roots, and 

 will need more nourish- 

 ment. A good watering of 

 liquid manure once a 

 week is as good as any- 

 thing, using the other fer- 

 tilizers in between. A 

 top dressing of bone-meal 



-^=- will also be beneficial. As 



a preventive for mildew, I keep my 

 hot water pipes well painted with sul- 

 phur, frequently closing off all the 

 pipes but one run, which is well paint- 

 ed and allowed to get extra hot. 



I think when plants are large enough 

 for 4-inch pots, it is advisable to grow 

 them a little on the dry side, which 

 will help in keeping out the mildew 

 during the hot weather. 



Ventilating is a very important fac- 

 tor in rose growing, not allowing the 

 temperature to run up to SO or S5 per 

 cent in the morning before giving air. 

 and then opening the ventilators a foot 

 or more, but ventilating gradually 

 an inch or two at a time; the same 

 method to be followed when closing 

 the houses for the night. 



W. C. RiCKARDS, Jr. 



Treasurer, New Yorlc Florists' Clul). 



WAI.TER F. SHERIUAN 



Chairman Entertainment Committee. New 



Yorli Florists' Chili. 



.lonN Young 



Secretary, New Ym-k Florists' Club. 



