December 9, 1905 



horticulture: 



dozen to eighteen flowers of fair size on each plant. 

 In the height of the season tlie brilliant masses of 

 bloom produce a brilliant effect in the houses. The 

 season for cutting begins in October, when large 

 batches of Soleil d'Oetobre, a canary yellow in demand, 

 and Bronze Soliel d'Oetobre, a canary yellow in demand, 

 the firm some years ago, are sent to their stand at 

 Covent Garden flower market. The season is continued 

 until January. The other varieties grown in quanti- 

 ties are Mdlle. Theresa Panckoucke, Viviand Morel, 

 Letrier, Niveus, W. H. Lincoln, Ivory, Western King, 

 Petite Ami, Market Eed, Mrs. Barkley, Lady Hannan, 

 Source D'or, Belles of Weybridge, Lady Eoberts, Mar- 

 jorie, Edith Pagram, A. J. Balfour, Framfield Pink, 

 Tuxedo, etc. The plants are remarkably healthy, and 

 on this point Mr. Prickett remarked : "We have had 

 black fly in the houses, but this pest was destroyed by 

 means of fumigation. We have never had any rust 

 among the plants. Some of the cuttings received from 

 other nurseries are sometimes affected, but every pre- 

 caution is taken to clean them and prevent the introduc- 

 tion of the disease." 



SOME NEW SPORTS 



Messrs. Prickett have been very fortunate with the 

 sports obtained from Soliel d'Oetobre. The bronze one 

 has been extensively taken up by the trade, and is still 

 in great demand. The firm have now brought out 

 Terra Cotta Soleil, which has received an award of 

 merit from the Eoyal Horticultural Society, and the 

 brick-red bloom is likely to prove serviceable for market 

 work. Another sport .has been named Prickett's 

 Octobre, this being of a somewhat lighter shade than 

 the terra-cotta one. This has been certificated by the 

 National Chrysanthemum Society. A good stock of 

 plants is available and orders will be executed before 

 Christmas. A number of new varieties are being tried 

 at the nursery. Of these Mr. Prickett spoke very 

 highly of Money Maker. This is a new Japanese va- 

 riety, introduced by Mr. H. J. Jones of the Ryecroft 

 Nurseries, Lewishan. The name was selected from the 

 opinions expressed by market florists that it will be a 

 profitable variety. The imposing pure white blooms 

 stand erect, and they are well suited for decorative 

 work besides travelling well. A first-class certificate 

 has been granted by the National Chrysanthemum 

 Society. Mr. Prickett, sen., has had considerable ex- 

 perience as a judge at the autumn shows. In answer 

 to my inquiry as to the progress made in chrysanthe- 

 mum culture he stated : "There is no doubt that a 

 great advance has been made in the culture of chrys- 

 anthemums in recent years, and this is noticeable at the 

 shows. The movement initiated by a London paper in 

 distributing chrysantliemums among the children of 

 London will have a good effect. The great variety of 

 blooms in commerce has also liad the effect of further 

 popularizing the flower." 



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Rose House Wisdom 



It isn't often I can spare the time but wlien I do I 

 like to take a trip around and see my brother florists, 

 greet old acquaintances and make new ones when possi- 

 ble, exchange views, and learn "how to do it," and how 

 not to do it. Not long ago I visited a place where the 

 roses Brides and Bridesmaids, had beep cut back to 

 within eighteen inches of the ground. All would 

 probably have gone well had they been pruned earlier in 

 the season, but the pruning was delayed, I was told, 

 until the latter part of September. I am not in favor 

 of such late pruning of Teas ; I find about the middle of 

 June or July 1st to be the ideal time when cut back so 

 hard. Syringing can be done more often, which 

 swells the dormant eyes and brings delight to see them 

 breaking. We have had the strongest wood and the 

 best flowers from such plants. 



We tried a new way this year which would make many 

 a rose grower shake his head. After resting some plants 

 they were pruned back to within 6 to 8 inches from the 

 graft, all soil shaken off and planted like hybrids, in 

 three inches of soil on a bench. The results were sat- 

 isfactory in every way; we have had a continuous sup- 

 ply of good stems and flowers in proportion. Plants 

 treated this way take more feeding for they throw out 

 an abundance of new roots and seem to be always hun- 

 gry and there is an absence of brush on them, every 

 shoot seeming to develop a flower. 



Let us all make a graceful bow to the rugged 

 youngster, Horticulture, on the attainment of its first 

 birthday. May its shadow grow more prominent, and 

 the years roll lightly over the editor. May he be long 

 spared to wield his pen and give us his ripe experience 

 in matters in which we are all interested. 



So may the auld year gang out moaning 

 To see the new come laden groaning 

 Wi' double plenty o'er the loaning 



To thee and thine, 

 Domestic peace and comforts crowning 



The hail design. 



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Watch for our next issue. It will present something 

 of especial value. Now is a good time to renew your 

 subscription. We hope to double the list for next year. 

 Everybody help. 



London, Eng., Nov. 2!^, '05. 



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