September 6, 1913 



HOETICULTURE 



335 



ROSE GROWING UNDS^ GLASS 



, CONDUCTED BY 



Questions by our readers In line with any of the topics presented on this page ^iU be cordially received and proi^^^^ answerer" 

 by Mr. Ruziclja. Such communications should Invariably be addressed to the office of HOKTICDLTUKJfl. 



Cutting Roses 



As soon as the cooler weatlicr starts in, the buds which 

 heretofore had been cut quite tight, can be allowed to 

 become mucli larger, as the danger of their opening out 

 too much is greatly reduced, and the larger buds are 

 much more attractive, and will therefore find a better 

 sale. The market does not want any flowers that are 

 too far open, and great care should be used to have them 

 cut as nearly alike as possible, i. e., to have the buds 

 about the same size, and same stage of development. 

 Put all the blooms into water at the earliest possible 

 moment after cutting. Where a large number are cut, 

 have them gi'aded as soon as possible, and get the stuff 

 into water at once. 



Ice 



Just because the weather is a little cooler is no rea- 

 son why the ice box should be allowed to become empty, 

 even for a while. Keep it cold, as an ice box should be. 

 Where ice is made right on the place it is a very simple 

 matter to run the machine once' or twice a day, as con- 

 ditions may call for. From nur experience it is the most 

 l)rofitable way to have ice-making machinery right there 

 to fill the ice box at any time on short notice. 



The Supply of Bone Meal 



Did you ever wish to top-dress some of the benches 

 and then discover that the supply of bonemeal was ex- 

 hausted? This hajipens many times and on many 

 places. It is not only annoying, but often we lose quite 

 a little growth, because the bone cannot be applied at 

 the proper time. Places vary in glass area and the 

 growers ought to know how much bone is necessary for 

 the season, ordering it all at once, early, so as to be sure 

 that it is on hand when it is wanted. It may seem a 

 large sum to lay out at the one time, but when you 



figure up the total you pay by buying a bag at a time, 

 you will no doubt find that the money will be well in- 

 vested. 



Tobacco Sttms 



These with us are a little out of place, when we con- 

 sider that there are so many good materials in the mar- 

 ket that can be used much easier and with greater safety. 

 Often we have to smile at the old tobacco pot standing 

 in the shed, and then think of the simpler ways of today. 

 The best places will not have a single fly around their 

 lilants. All the vitality the plants possess should go 

 into the production of flowers, and not to feed hundreds 

 of parasites. Where tobacco stems are still to be used 

 it is well to give careful attention in preparing them for 

 the smoke pot. The drier they are used the more ef- 

 fective will the smoke be, and the more dangerous to 

 the plants. Be very careful not to allow the stems to 

 burn with a flame, as that makes very hot smoke, which 

 burns the foliage. The stems should only be allowed to 

 smoulder and smoke. When the stems are sprinkled to 

 be too wet, the smoke will become about half steam, and 

 lose its killing power. Never light a pot and then 

 leave it to its own fate. Better pull it up and then down 

 the houses, filling tlie houses full on the last trip. This 

 is not very pleasant work, to say the least, but it can 

 hardly be done any other way and be done right. 



Sod for Next Season's Potted Plants 



If you have no sod remaining after filling the houses, 

 start at once to make your heap of soil that is to be 

 used for potting the young plants next winter. If this 

 is allowed to go by, and no soil is on hand when potting 

 is to be done, you know what that will mean, with the 

 ground frozen. The best soil we like to use is left-over 

 sod. This is stored under cover, and then it can be 

 used at any time during the winter months. 



Winter Flowering Snapdragons 



For a number of years H. Huebner of Groton, Mass., 

 has been studying and working to do for the antirrhinum 

 what Zvolanek has done for the sweet jjea by evolving 

 a reliable winter-flowering strain. How well he has 

 succeeded is indicated in the illustration shown on the 

 cover page of this paper, which is from a photograph 

 made in middle of Januarv last. After years of cross- 



ing and recrossing Mr. Huebner has finally fixed the 

 strain in the three popular colors, yellow, pink and 

 white. As no snapdragon can be depended on to come 

 true from seed, propagation is effected by cuttings from 

 selected plants only. Cuttings are usually taken in 

 October. We understand the stock is to be placed on 

 the market durinsr the coming season. 





^if^^:"fi 



Gnorp OF Visitobs at H. P. Michell Co.^'s- Gardens, Andalusia, Pa. 



