October 29, 1910 



HORTICULTURE 



599 



Seasonable Notes on Culture of 

 Florists^ Stock 



CALCEOLAKIAS 



From now on the outdoor frame cannot be regarded 

 any longer as a proper place for these plants. With the 

 impending danger of frost, the sashes will have to be 

 more tightly closed which is bound to create an over- 

 moist atmosphere,, and this is very detrimental to this 

 chiss of plants. Give suitable quarters in the coolest 

 house 3'ou have and keep at about 40 degrees at night. 

 ( 'alceolarias should never be subjected to much artificial 

 heat, but at the same time they need all the light and 

 sunshine that vpill come their way now. On all bright 

 days give an abundance of fresh air, but direct cold 

 drafts should not sweep through the plants. Plants 

 that are becoming pot-bound should be shifted as they 

 may need it. They like a rather light loam, not sifted 

 too fine, witli al)out a third of thoroughly rotted manure 

 and sufficient coarse sand to keep the soil open. Fumi- 

 gations in mild doses often will aid in keeping down 

 the dreaded greenfly. 



HOUSING PRIMULAS 



These plants such as Primulas obconica, sinensis and 

 Forbesi gain nothing in the way of vigor or durability by 

 a late sojourn out in frames. They will do much better 

 if transferred now any time to a cool, well ventilated 

 house, where they can have closer attention that will 

 enable them to finish up into nice salable plants. Should 

 there be some needing a shift it would be better to give 

 it without further delay. For the last shift use a com- 

 post consisting of some fibrous loam, say two parts, rot- 

 ten cow manure one part, and the other part of leaf 

 mold and sand. Four, five and six-inch pots will make 

 very useful sizes, as will also some neatly made-up pans, 

 fancy dishes, and baskets arranged for Christmas sales. 

 Plants for this use should by this time be almost full 

 grown. Keep the plants as near the glass as possible 

 as this will make them sturdy. Give them room to 

 spread out so as to form symmetrical plants. From now 

 on a temperature near 45 degrees at night will suit 

 them well. 



LIFTING PEONIES FOR FORCING 



Those who intend to force peonies this winter 

 should now make preparation for lifting and storing 

 them. They can be put any place where they will be 

 accessible when they are wanted for forcing. There is 

 no better place than a cold frame that can be protected 

 with some material as leaves or stable litter. It takes 

 from 8 to 10 weeks from putting them into heat until 

 they flower. So if the grower has any special occasion 

 to meet he can calculate on the above time. Start the 

 clumps under glass with a temperature of from 55 to 

 60 degrees at night and maintain the same as uniform- 

 ly as possible. When the buds show they should be fed 

 liberally with liquid manure. For the best blooms the 

 lateral buds should be removed as soon as they are 

 formed. 



SWEET PEAS 



Don't try to hurry by fire heat the time of flowering 

 of your sweet peas. While letting them have every ray 

 of sunshine possible they should also have plenty ven- 

 tilation on all favorable occasions. Never let them get 

 dry at the roots as they are a moisture loving plant ; this 

 means good strong stems and flowers. Give the leading 

 shoots attention. Keep them faithfully tied up to the 

 strings, as you will get your first and most valuable 

 flower from the top of these leading growths. If allowed 

 to be neglected for any length of time they are bound 

 to have crooked stems, which impairs their value very 

 much. Have a watch out for the green worm much simi- 

 lar to the calibage worm ; go over the vines often and 



pick the worms off before they become too numerous. 

 It is a good practice with those that grow a lot of chrys- 

 anthemums, to sow some su-eet peas now in 4-inch pots ; 

 these will come into full bearing by the spring and 

 should be a paying proposition for most florists. 



USEFUL EVERGREENS 



There is a growing demand for evergreen decora- 

 tive subjects for the adornment of business and pri- 

 vate houses, such as the approaches to stores, hotels, 

 club houses, theatres and restaurants. In order to meet 

 this demand pot-grown evergreen trees that are dense- 

 ly set, with a compact growth and of pleasing appear- 

 ance should be regarded as a side line to almost any 

 general plant business. Make a start by procuring from 

 some of the well-appointed nurseries that are found 

 through the columns of the HOKTICULTURE. There 

 are many hardy evergreens to choose from such as 

 spruces, cypress, junipers, arbor vitae, and retinsporas. 

 This is a good time now to get these plants and pot 

 them up, using good strong tubs. The soil best suited for 

 these trees should be a heavy soil rather than a light 

 one, which has been enriched but sparingly. 



VIOLETS 



it will soon be the days of dark and gloomy weather, 

 which means more fire heat to keep the desired atmos- 

 pheric conditions right in the house. It is a good plan 

 every morning to examine your beds in order to find the 

 dry spots. Don't start and water the whole bench when 

 there are only a few dry places. To keep them too wet is 

 as bad as keeping them too dry ; we must guard against 

 these two extremes and if we expect to keep our 

 jjlants in a healthy growing and flowering condition the 

 soil should be kept as evenly moist as possible all the 

 time. The soil should be kept open by frequent stirring: 

 of the surface — at least once a week if possible, thus in- 

 suring sweet soil and allowing plenty of air to reach 

 it. At all times keep the air pure and dry by giv- 

 ing all the air that outside conditions and weather will 

 permit, at the same time putting a little heat on in order 

 to keep the air dry ; this holds good during rainy and 

 misty weather so as to combat that great ruiner of the 

 violet, the spot. Fumigating each week will keep the 

 plants clean of fly, but should not be given too heavy. 

 Make temperature from 40 to 45 degrees at night with 10 

 degrees warmer when possible during the day. Syringe 

 occasionall}' on bright days for red spider. 



Mr. FarreU's next notes wiU be on tlie foUowing: Cyclamen; 

 Cypripediums; Bulbous Stock; Early Freesias: Florists' Winter 

 Requisites; Roses. 



Canterbury BcII 



Canterbury BeU, grown as a pot plant from the seed- 

 ling up, makes one of the most showy plants in cultiva- 

 tion and as easily grown as a geranium. By growing 

 tliem on all summer in pots, shifting them as soon as 

 rooted through, up to 6 and 7 in. pans, letting them get 

 two or three good freezes and then bringing them into 

 a cool house just above freezing until after Christmas, 

 then gradually raising the temperature to 55 by March 

 1st, they will come in fine flower for Easter. They want 

 plenty of water and a light dose of liquid about twice a 

 week after March 1st, or when in good growing condi- 

 tion. They also an' a fine thing for cutting, grown in 

 benches. 



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