October 4, 1913 



HOETICULTUEE 



461 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



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fh.^a/iAO/ 



Qiiesti:m>? 



li.v our readers in Hue with any of the topics presented on tliis page will be cordially received and promptly answered 

 by Mr. Parrell. Such communications should luTariably be addressed to the otBee ol HORTICULTURE. 



LIBKAI 



NEW \y 

 I BOTANU 



Irises 



There is no better time for planting than within the 

 next four weeks. Work the soil over one foot, or, better 

 still, 15 inches deep; pulverize it thoroughly, add a 

 liberal amount of well-rotted manure, it matters little 

 whether from cows or horses. If the soil is a stiff clay, 

 as is the case with us, a good dose of sand is a splendid 

 thing to incorporate into it. Fall-planted irises produce 

 better flowers the first season than if transplanted in 

 spring. They can be planted from 12 to 18 inches apart 

 each way. A collection of German, English and Jap- 

 anese iris will give a long succession of flowers. 



Lilium Formosom 



The lily grower, the man who gTOWs thousands of 

 them for Easter, who figures on the number of buds the 

 plant will produce to judge whether a certain sort is 

 more profitable to grow than another will find these 

 lilies very useful, for they produce freely flowers of a 

 fine type, with excellent texture. They can be potted 

 singly into 6-iuch pots. Give them a good watering 

 after they are planted, but afterwards let them dry out 

 before giving any more water, as the bulbs will 

 rot if given too much. The best place to stand the 

 pots is in a frame on some coal ashes, where they can 

 remain until cool weather arrives. The earlier ones 

 should be picked out and given a place as near the glass 

 as accommodation will permit in a house of about 60 

 degrees at night and they will be useful during Janu- 

 ary and February when flowers are not so plenty. So 

 long as tlie bulbs are started early and you have a pot 

 full of roots, and good growth by February, the rest is 

 easy. 



Otaheite Orange 



These desirable Christmas subjects should now be 

 given a place on the sunniest bench with temperature 

 from 52 to 58 at night. Place them far enough apart 

 to admit the sunlight and turn them around frequently 

 so that every side will get the benefit of some sun. 

 Plants that are in healthy condition will take a good deal 

 of moisture out of the soil so they should be examined 

 each day to see which need to be watered, as some will 

 require a more liberal supply than others. Attend well 

 to day temperature, keeping it as near 70 to 72 as possi- 

 ble during sunny days. Give syringings once a day now 

 and do it good as it will be a great help in keeping down 



Mr. Farrcll's next notes will be on the following: Chrysanthemu 



Borders: Preparing 



scale and mealy bug. By all means strive to keep free 

 of these pests if you want highly finished plants. When 

 pots are well filled with roots give liquid manure once or 

 twice a week. 



Orchids 



Now when we are liable to have spells of dark and 

 rainy weather we shall have to be very careful about 

 watering orchids. A good rule to follow in whatever 

 watering you do is to let it be done fairly early in the 

 morning, which will give them a chance to dry out some 

 before the night. Shading can be reduced now as they 

 will be better for all the light they can get. All such 

 orchids as cattleyas, laelias, coelogynes, odontoglossums, 

 dendrobiums, iniltonias, etc., can stand full sun by the 

 middle of October. From this out overhead syringing 

 should be gradually discontinued. Where syringing is 

 carried on, let it be done in the mornings of bright days 

 and only in the form of a fine misty spray. Give venti- 

 lation whenever possible as they all enjoy plenty of 

 fresh air, outside those of the East Indian and tropical 

 kinds. ^Take it a point to change the air at least once 

 a day. 



Peonies 



The peonies are perfectly hardy and so robust that 

 they grow well in any ordinary garden soil. However, 

 they furnish the best flowers when planted in good, 

 deep-trenched ground, and in situations where the soil 

 retains a moderate degree of dampness. If the soil be 

 poor, it should be copiously mixed with rich old manure. 

 Cow manure is the best for all light soils. Manure must 

 not come into direct contact with roots. The best time 

 for planting peonies is September and October as soon 

 as the temperature is cool enough for the plants to be 

 sent without damage. Plant at least four feet apart each 

 way and not too near voracious shrubs, the roots of 

 wliieh exhaust the soil. The plants should be inserted 

 with the crowns or dormant buds about three inches 

 Ijelow the surface and should then be well watered if it 

 is at all dry. 



Stock Plants of Chrysanthemums 

 As the different varieties are cut and the stock roots 

 lifted and boxed up do not place them under the bench 

 but give them a frame where they can have all the sun 

 possible. Later on they can be given a bench in a 

 light but cool house. When treated this way they will 

 produce from 30 to 35 cuttings from each root. 



ms: Campanulas; Lilies for Christmas ; Planting Phlox; Perennial 

 for Cold Weather. 



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