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HORTICULTURE 



April 16, 1910 



SEASONABLE NOTES ON CUL- 

 TURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK. 

 Antirrhinums. 



It is time now lo start stock for next 

 winter's crop of flowers. The seeds of 

 the tall and most improved kinds in 

 separate colors — white, pink, red and 

 yellow — are good for indoor bench cul- 

 ture. Where antirrhinums are raised 

 somewhat extensively, it is best to al- 

 ways have seedlings on hand as a 

 source for annual propagation. The 

 blooms of the seedlings are never quite 

 so uniform in color as those raised by 

 cuttings. The second growth coming 

 in the form of sturdy shoots from the 

 base of the plant makes the best cut- 

 tings that will produce magnificent 

 long, large flowering spikes. They can 

 be grown on in pots, w-ith frequent 

 shifting during the suiumer, which is 

 the best way. Either cuttings or seed- 

 lings, pinched back as they grow, will 

 make strong bushy plants by fall for 

 benching. They are a very satisfac- 

 tory flower for the florist to grow, as 

 they are persistent bloomers and have 

 excellent lasting qualities. They are 

 good to follow after chrysantliemums. 



Cosmos. 



To obtain the best results with these 

 very desirable flowers sow the seed in 

 April in flats or frame: pot into small 

 pots when large enough, and shift into 

 larger pots when required. Give the 

 plants the fullest light, in order to in- 

 duce a strong growth. They can also 

 be grown in boxes. Boxes about two 

 feet long by eight inches wide and six 

 inches deep will hold about six plants. 

 After planting protect from the scorch- 

 ing sun for a few days: stand them 

 outside where they wiU be convenient 

 to the hose. The cosmos blooms so 

 late in the fall, that in the north frosts 

 frequently destroy it long before its 

 season of bloom is over. For this rea- 

 son it is well to grow it in pots or 

 boxes all summer and take it indoois 

 in September. There are many places 

 in your houses that would be unoccu- 

 pied otherwise. 



Cyclamen. 



Cyclamens that were transferred 

 from seed flats to other flats some eight 

 or ten weeks ago will by this time be 

 crowding. They should now be ready 

 to go into 3-inch pots. An ideal mix- 

 ture for them is two parts fresh loam 

 sifted, one of leaf mold and a fourth 

 of well-iotted cow or sheep manure. 

 When potting leave at least one-half 

 of the corm above the soil. They are 

 benefited by a light shading during 

 the hottest hours of the day. They 

 want abundance of ventilation on all 

 warm days, but be cautious as to cold 

 draughts. Never let them suffer for 

 the want of water and syringe on all 

 fine days. They make roots very fast, 

 but in no case ever over-pot. As they 

 have filled the pots with roots they 

 will need a shift from time to time. 

 They can be grown in the house up to 

 June, when they can be plunged up to 

 their rims in coal ashes in some frame 

 outside. 



Gladiolus. 



One of the most useful and easily 

 handled and lasting of our summer 

 flowers. Plant the small bulbs first 

 and keep the large ones until the last 

 of June for a succession. Get the soil 

 in the best possible condition before 

 planting. Work it deep and make it 

 rich with well-rotted manure. Get the 



PITTSBURGH CONSERVATORY DISPLAYS. 



The picture which we have used as 

 a cover illustration gives only a faint 

 idea of the magnificent Easter display 

 at the conservatories of H. J. Heinz, 

 where J. Fealherstone and his staff 

 had arranged one of the most unique 

 exhibitions ever seen in this city. The 

 exhibit was admired by a large crowd 

 of enthusiastic visitors. 



The best effects were seen in one of 

 the new U-Rar show houses, 25 x 50 

 feet. The two centre tables were con- 

 verted into one, making a bench 12 x 

 10 feet, whicli was an arrangement of 

 choice flowering shrubs, bulbs and 

 spring flowers which would do credit 

 to any of the horticultural fraternity 

 in an exhibition hall. Raised to the 

 roof in the centre was a fine specimen 

 of Caryota urens, on each side of which 

 were specimen Areca lutescens; then 

 as dot plants were used well-flowered 

 samples of standard Viburnum opulus. 

 lilacs, laburnums. Azalea mollis, Piu- 

 nus Pissardii and roses, with a ground 

 work of hydrangeas. Azalea indica. 

 Rhododendron Pink Pearl, Azalea mol- 

 lis, of which Van Thol Altercatens and 

 seedlings were the best. Some fine 

 specimens of Mains were also used as 

 dot plants. Near the margins of the 

 benches were arranged banks of hya- 

 cinths, tulips, and narcissi, outlined 

 with Primula obconica, lily of the val- 

 ley, etc. 



At the furthest end of the house was 



ai ranged a little natural garden effect 

 which made quite a hit with the visi- 

 tors. Pink-flowered hawthorn. Mains, 

 standard roses and wistarias formed 

 the centres of moss-covered hills where 

 crocuses, English and Japanese prim- 

 roses, Scilla Siberica, double daisies, 

 lachenalias, grape hyacinths and lily 

 of the valley appeared to be growing 

 naturally, producing a charming effect. 

 The extreme end of this house was 

 completely covered with a bank of gen- 

 istas, azaleas. Cineraria stellata. callas 

 and Easter lilies, the whole blending 

 harmoniously in a charming pande- 

 monium of color. One of the vesti- 

 bules was filled with hybrid roses and 

 slocks, another with blooming orcliids 

 in profusion. 



In the plant house were fine speci- 

 mens of Clerodendron Balfourii cov- 

 ered with flowers, A superb plant of 

 -'\cacia paradoxa, some good amaryllis, 

 gloxinias, ferns, yellow callas. ripe 

 oiangcs and hanging baskets of ferns. 



The new grapery contains besides the 

 planting canes, which have already 

 made good growth, some fruiting canes 

 in flower and figs well on towards rip- 

 ening. In the peach house are peaches, 

 nectarines, plums, apples and cherries 

 in the flowering stage and ripe straw- 

 berries. Lettuce, rhubarb, sea kale and 

 radish in the vegetable house just 

 ready for the table were as much ad- 

 mired as the fiowers. 



JAMES HUTCHINSON. 



best varieties possible to start with, 

 for you can increase your stock very 

 rapidly after the first year. They 

 should be planted in drills from 2 to 3 

 feet apart and 2 to 3 inches apart in 

 the rows. If the corms are large they 

 can be planted four inches deep, and 

 when smaller an inch less. Cultiva- 

 tion should be kept up till the plants 

 have attained 6 inches in height, after 

 which they should be disturbed as lit- 

 tle as possible. Mulching in summer 

 to keep the soil cool is very beneficial. 

 The spikes can be cut when the first 

 flower opens. Removing the terminal 



buds will stop stalk development and 

 give strength to the larger and earlier 

 maturing flowers. The best time of 

 the day for cutting is early in the 

 morning. 



Lilies for Decoration Day. 

 Much of the plant grower's attention 

 now centers in the stock to be had in 

 readiness for the coming Memorial 

 Day. To time lilies with anything like 

 precision for any date calls for a fair 

 amount of good judgment. Lilies that 

 were taken in from the fi-araes the first 

 week of March will come along with 

 but very little forcing. They should 



