March 4, 1911 



HORTICULTURE 



279 



fruit as soon as possible, but with tlie permanent wel- 

 fare of the young trees in view, it is best to crop 

 sparingly. With older established trees the case is 

 different; when over-cropped they will usually take a 

 rest, and they also have the power to recoup. Young, 

 newly planted trees should go unpruned the first sum- 

 mer and have a liberal supply of water applied to the 

 roots. JOSEPH TILLSON. 



Seasonable Notes on Culture of 

 Florists^ Stock 



BEDDING PLANTS 



The many species of bedding plants largely handled 

 by the commercial growers are often overlooked until 

 the last minute. Now is a good time to make memoranda 

 of what and how many plants you may need. The propa- 

 gation of such plants as aehyranthes, ageratum, alter- 

 nantheras, coleus, geraniums, heliotrope, German ivy, 

 double petunias, lobelia Kathleen Mallard, double 

 alyssum, pyrethrum, vincas, etc., should have attention. 

 Sow seed of Marguerite carnation, bedding begonias, 

 •celosias, hybrid impatiens, cosmos, candytuft, migno- 

 nette in pots, sweet alyssum, asters, stocks, snapdragons, 

 salvias, verbenas, dianthiis, ageratum, torenia, centaurea. 

 Phlox Drummondi, etc., so to have them in salable size 

 when the time comes. As soon as seeds have germinated 

 give them abundant light and air, and when they get 

 well established keep as free a circulation of air through 

 the house as possible without causing too sudden changes 

 of temperature. Keep them free of aphis with fumiga- 

 tion and do not use any more water than is absolutely 

 necessary on dull days. 



BORONIAS 



These fragrant plants are worthy of being more gen- 

 erally grown. As they go out of flower they should re- 

 ceive a repotting, using fibrous loam three parts, fibrous 

 peat two parts, and enough sand to keep the soil porous, 

 as this family does not do well in a too retentive soil. 

 After potting place them in a night temperature of 50° 

 and keep the walks and benches well sprinkled in bright 

 weather. The house should be kept a little closer than 

 usual for a few weeks, but when well established they 

 should have plenty of air, as they are air-loving subjects. 

 When the plants take freely to the new soil they should 

 have the leading shoots pinched. When the summer 

 comes they are better for a few months' exposure in the 

 open air in some sheltered position until September. 

 Boronias can be grown from cuttings taken during March 

 and put in a compost of leaf mold, peat and sand, 

 ■covered with glass and kept shaded from the sun. 



ENGLISH IVY 



Propagated at any time with ease. Plants that have 

 become too old, bulky or bare can be cut up into pieces, 

 put into the cool end of a propagating bed, kept sprin- 

 kled and guarded against sunshine and they will soon 

 be in condition for potting. By the end of May they 

 can be planted out about six inches apart. 



FANCY-LKAVED CALADIUMS 



These attractive decorative plants are increasing in 

 demand. First, sort all the available tubers into sizes, 

 keeping each size by themselves, planting each batch 

 separately in a box. Put some moss in the bottom of box 

 and then lay the tubers close to one another, as their 

 stay in these boxes should be short. Place about three- 

 quarters of an inch of moss over the tubers and then set 

 in a frame over the pipes where a temperature of from 

 70° to 75° can be maintained. When they have made 

 a nice lot of roots they should be potted into the smallest- 

 sized pots that will hold the tubers and roots comfort- 

 ably. Use a compost of two parts of leaf-mold with the 

 other part in equal proportions of peat and sand. Until 

 the roots have made some progress in growth, watering 

 should be done very carefully. They should be placed 

 where they will get 'full light, and a thin shade when the 

 sun is powerful, with a moderate amount of ventilation 

 on all favorable opportunity. During the latter part of 

 spring and during the summer they will bear as much 

 heat as most stove plants— from 70° to 78° by night with 

 a day temperature of from 80° to 85°. Whenever they 

 show signs of needing potting shift into larger pots. 

 For these subsequent shifts give a compost of fibrous 

 loam peat and leaf-mold in equal parts, with the addition 

 of some well-rotted cow manure and sand. A rather 

 humid atmosphere is absolutely essential, with a liberal 

 supply of water when growing vigorously. 



PANSIES 



Pansies that have gone through the winter in frames 

 should now claim special attention. The advantage of 

 a nice day should be taken to give them a thorough 

 cleaning up. Air should be freely admitted on all 

 bright days, and later on the sashes should be opened 

 wide or entirely removed on all fine sunny days so as to 

 expose them fully to the invigorating air of early spring, 

 but always try to maintain an even cool temperature as 

 a high temperature diminishes the size of the flower. 

 Give them a weekly application of liquid manure and 

 see how wonderfully it will help the size of the flower. 

 As the sun gets strong a partial shade at midday will 

 help the texture of the bloom. 



PLANTS FOE VASES, BOXES AND BASKETS 



Many growers who have these receptacles to fill have 

 only a vague idea as to the amount of stock required. 

 Now is a good time to sum up and either propagate, 

 sow seed, or buy later on what is needed. If plants are 

 required for a shady situation, the following selection is 

 good : Fuchsias, begonias, Cyperus alternifolius,' Ficus 

 elastica, aspidistras, Farfugium grande, selaginellas and 

 ferns. For centers use Phoenix rupicola, Latania 

 Borbonica, Areca lutescens and cordylines. For trail- 

 in<r plants use German ivy, tradescantias, Kemlworth 

 ivy and Asparagus Sprengerii. Wliere they will be 

 exposed to the sun the following are very satisfactory: 

 Geraniums, coleus, ageratums, acalyphas, petunias, 

 dwarf nasturtiums, crotons, aehyranthes, Abutilon vex- 

 illarium, Grevillea robusta and salvias. For centers use 

 Dracaena indivisa or other gi-assy-leaved species of the 

 cordyline. For trailers there is nothing better than 

 Vinca major, German ivy, and ivy-leaved geraniums. 

 There is lots of material from which to choose, among 

 greenhouse plants and even annuals of many kinds. 





Mr Farrell's next notes will be on the foUowing: Bulbs; Care 

 of Young Rose Stock; Dieffenbachias; Spiraeas; Sweet Peas; 

 Vandas. 



