November 15, 1913 



HOBTICULTUEE 



661 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



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Qaestlons by our readers in line witli any of the topics presenlgd on this page will be cordi.iUy received and_ promptly answered 

 by Mr. Farrell. Such communications should invariably be addressed to the otlice of HORTICULTURE. 



Begonia Gloire de Lorraine 



Xow is a good time to start propagation of Begonia de 

 Lorraine and Cincinnati. Stock for next jear must spring 

 from early struck leaf cuttings. There can be no doubt 

 as to the superiority of early started plants from leaf- 

 cuttings over those propagated later by rooting side 

 shoots in the usual way, though the latter have their uses 

 and are probably as valuable as anytliing expressly raised 

 for a holiday trade. Well-matured leaves, but still of a 

 healthy, spotless green, are taken from the most vig- 

 orous plants in such a manner as to cause no disfigure- 

 ment. Cutting away the stubby end of the leaf stalk, 

 about half an inch below t.lie leaf is all the trimming 

 needed. This lower end when inserted in the sand will 

 just bring the base of the leaf in close contact with the 

 surface of the sand bed. A steady heat of not less than 

 70 degrees in the sand with a few degrees lower over- 

 head, a somewhat close and moderately humid atmos- 

 phere, frequent sprinkling and the exclusion of bright 

 sunshine by portable shades, insure a good start and 

 healthy root formation. 



Allamandas 



Plants that you have been growing on during the sum- 

 mer should now be given a place where they can ripen 

 up their wood. Eeduce the water supply gradually un- 

 til the wood becomes well ripened up. This is one par- 

 ticular essential in their culture. Water may be with- 

 held to the point of flagging as long as you do not allow 

 the wood to shrivel, which would work a great injury if 

 allowed to happen. Give these plants a place in some 

 house that stands at about 50 degrees at night. In 

 order to perfect wood that will flower well give them a 

 place where they can receive all the sunshine possible. 

 See that they have plenty of ventilation whenever possi- 

 ble, as this goes hand in hand with reduced watering 

 and temperature in bringing allamandas to the right 

 condition. 



Freesias 



Freesias require a nice moist state at the roots. To 

 get them in flower for the holidays give them a shelf or 

 bench in a house where a night temperature of 55 

 degrees is maintained. Give ventilation on all favor- 

 able occasions but never allow cold drafts. They ap- 

 preciate doses of liquid manure if not too strong, which 

 would cause a browning on the ends of the leaves. They 

 are also easily injured by fumigation but will stand 

 tobacco papers without injury. Late batches can be 

 held in a cold house or even in frames for some time. 

 Freesias are excellent for design work and those with 

 a local trade can scarcely afford to be without them. 



Mr Farrell's next notes will be on the following: Care of Adla 



Easter; Preparations 



Rhododendrons 



These plants are of special value for forcing during 

 Easter time. When received they can be placed in soil 

 in some root house or cool pit and the roots kept mod- 

 erately moist. Wlien being potted they want a very 

 porous soil, such as two parts of fibrous loam, one part 

 of leaf mold and about half this quantity of sand. Keep 

 them in a cool place, anywhere just above freezing. 

 In February they can be brought into a temperature of 

 about 50 degrees at night which can be increased to 

 about 63 degrees at night. At this stage they like a 

 moist atmosphere and should be freely syringed, but 

 must be removed to a more airy and a cooler house 

 when their flowers begin to open. Be sure when order- 

 ing that you get the varieties that are suitable for forc- 

 ing and that are well set with buds. 



Paper Whites and Roman Hyacinthi 



I have often mentioned the fact that paper white 

 narcissi should be brought in early and given lots of 

 time in a cool house. The same can be said of Eoman 

 hyacinths, although the romans will endure a much 

 higher temperature without harm. I have seen paper 

 whites brought in and put down by the side of the path 

 in a warm house and grow all to leaves. This is entirely 

 wrong. This early, cheap bulb is most useful at the 

 holidays, and the way to make it so is 1o bring in the 

 flats in the first half of November and put them on the 

 bench in the full light, in a house where it is about 50 

 degrees at night. Roman hyacinths should be given 60 

 degrees at night and allowed six weeks to come into 

 flower, but give them also full light. Pay a little more 

 attention to it, provide a light, sunny, cool house where 

 the flowers can develop slowly. If you have plants 

 which seem a little forward a temperature of about 40 

 degrees and enough shade to keep the sun away will 

 keep the stock at a standstill. 



Protecting the Hardy Border 



Clear all beds and borders of hardy perennials of any 

 dead stalks, cutting them down to the ground. After 

 this hoe and clear the ground from all manner of weeds. 

 The winter covering of the perennial border is an impor- 

 tant operation, and on it depends much of the future 

 success. This protection should not be given as long 

 as the weather continues mild. All perennials should 

 be allowed to become inured to the present increasing 

 cold. When the ground has formed a nice crust of frost 

 they can be covered with some coarse manure to the 

 depth of from 4 to 6 inches, all over. 



ntums; Cyclamen; Lily of the Valley; Orchids; Pot Roees for 

 for the Holidays. 



