March 11, 1911 



HORTICULTURE 



317 



Lupinus polyphyllus roseus Fruit and Vegetables Under Glass 



(See CoviT Illustration.) 



Perennial lupins are ornamental garden plants, 

 known to be unusually hardy. Tliis explains their 

 great popularity throughout nortliern latitudes. In re- 

 gard to preparation of soil and care, the requirements 

 do not go beyond the ordinary line. As a rule lupins 

 are very free in their seed production and by means 

 of outdoor sowing plants can be raised in a very shoi't 

 time, hence their wide distribution and frequency, es- 

 pecially in remotely located rural districts. Under 

 jiroper treatment in the perennial border lupins rank 

 among the showiest of our old garden inmates. No 

 one seems to admire them more than our metropolitan 

 summer residents. This sentiment has been gi-eatly 

 stimulated by the recent introduction of Lupinus poly- 

 phyllus roseus, a variety from England with flower 

 spikes of a clear pink shade of wonderful lustre. Its 

 best improvement consists in the remarkably long 

 period of flowering. The old purple and white sorts 

 being at their best in June, bloom very little after this 

 time, while the new pink type continues in its con- 

 stant produce of spikes until October. Care should be 

 taken, however, to always remove old flowers as soon 

 as they become unsightly. To prevent the plants going 

 into seed is a necessity if ready branching out and a 

 steady and rich floral effect is desired. 



Out of a first-class strain of seed a comparatively 

 high percentage of plants true to color can be procured, 

 which, if started early enough are very apt to even 

 flower the first simimer. For immediate mass effects, 

 especially in all cases where for reason of a certain 

 color scheme, pure shades are needed, two-year-old 

 jilants, previously assorted, should be given preference. 



The value of Lupinus polyphyllus roseus as a cut 

 flower is limited, but its high decorative merit for the 

 purpose of floral outdoor displays cannot be questioned. 

 By all means, at least throughout the north, the gates 

 of every American garden should be thrown open for 

 tills new pink variety. 



Northeast Harbor, Maine. 



Crowded Peach Trees 



In many gardens these trees are left far too close 

 together, and now is a good time to remedy the evil. 

 I have seen trees so crowded that it was impossible 

 for the next season's wood to mature. Peach pruning 

 with the beginner is not so simple as one would think, 

 and many err in leaving too much of the old wood 

 and too much growth for the allotted space. It is 

 far better to err on the side of thin trees than crowded 

 growths as new wood can be left where there is space 

 enough to do so. Judicious thinning and the removal 

 of weak and superfluous growths in the summer ma- 

 terially reduces the need for severe winter pruning. 

 Peach trees should not be cut back, which is often 

 practiced, but should be permitted to cover a larger 

 space. In these days when young trees must be fruited 

 early there is no gain, once the tree is formed, in 

 cutting back. Far better extend and mature the 

 growths. Grow thinly from the start and secure larger 

 fruit and of better quality. 



-Eye 



Plaon without Under- 

 Uieau neath cut. 



KlOl'OTTIXG YOUNG VINES 



Vine eyes that were 

 started early in Febru- 

 ary will now be rooting 

 through the soil in the 

 4-in. pots in which they 

 were started. Pot on 

 into 6-in. before the 

 roots become cramped, 

 using good, fresh loam 

 with enough lime rub- 

 ble and charcoal to 

 keep it open 

 and well -drained pots 

 should be used, otherwise the ball may 

 l)e broken wdien beinsr turned out for the 



No. 1. — E y e 

 ready for in- 

 serting in s:>il; 

 cut on under 

 side, giving It 

 a double chance 

 of rooting. 



next shift. This is 

 a great drawback to 

 the plant and if 

 not shaded and 

 otherwise cared for 

 the tender foliage 

 will be liable to 

 burn. After pot- 

 ting they can be 

 removed to any 

 house which has •a 

 growing tempera- 

 ture of 60° to 65° 

 by night, advancing 

 by day. Spray 

 over several 

 times a day 

 in bright 

 weather until 

 they are es- 

 tablished. 



Two-jear- 

 old canes are 

 usually used 

 a s fruiting 

 canes. These are decidedly stronger than a one-year- 

 old, but the latter usually breaks away earlier and will 

 carry four or five Ijunches. If canes are to be grown on 

 two years before forcing eyes are best inserted any time 

 llirough March and grown on in 6-in. pots the first 

 year, pruning back to one eye before starting the second 

 season's growth, and potting on into "twelves." 



OKCHAKD HOUSE 



Apples, pears, plums, cherries, etc., will now be in 

 flower. Keep night temperature about 45°, giving all 

 the air possible through the day. Orchard trees do not 

 command such a dry atmosphere when in flower as a 

 vine. The walks, etc., can be damped around early 

 mornings and, after fertilizing at noon, it is beneficial 

 to give the trees a fine spray over. If cheri'ies are in- 

 cluded in a mixed house they should have the coolest 

 end and have a little more air admitted to them. If 

 the weather permits keep a crack of air on the house 

 all night. Cherries refuse to set if kept too close or 

 too warm. 



LIBRA 



NEW > 

 80TA^ 



No. 3. — Safely rooted eye, showing top 

 growth and roots; eye made as in No. 2. 



