March 18, 1911 



fiORTICULTURE 



355 



with roots liquid manure wat«rings twice a week if neces- 

 sary will not harm them, or a top dressing of the same 

 <;ompost they are growing in with a little more cow 

 manure added as dry as possible will help them out in 

 good shape. 



Some people prepare a very elaborate mixture of soil 

 for these plants, Imt I have always found the simple 

 ■compost above mentioned to be adequate for a good clean 

 healthy growth and A-1 flowers. 



Seasonable Notes on Culture of 

 Florists' Stock 



ACHIMENES 



Tubers that have been stored away should be started 

 into growth now. A good way is to place them quite 

 thickly in pans, that have been previously filled with 

 good drainage material finished off with sand so the pans 

 will be three-quarters full. Then cover the tubers with 

 sand. Keep the sand moist but not too wet or the tubers 

 will be ruined. Place them in a house where a tempera- 

 ture of at least 65 degrees can be given. Young growth 

 should appear in about three weeks and when the plants 

 have made a growth of an inch or two they should be 

 potted up using 6 to 8 in either a 5 or 6-inch pan or pot. 

 Give them ample drainage and on this place some turfy 

 material or sphagnum moss. Use a compost of two parts 

 fibrous loam, two parts leaf mold and one part sand, 

 then after placing the plants an equal distance apart, 

 cover the roots with an inch of the compost, firming it 

 around the roots. They should be then placed near the 

 glass, and in a similar temperature to that in which they 

 were started. Achimenes, while growing, like a good 

 supply of water. When flowering begins they will take 

 liquid manure about twice a week. If needed for 

 decorations — as they make beautiful subjects for that 

 purpose — they should be hardened off some before being 

 removed from their warm quarters. 



CANNAS 



Cannas make very desirable plants for the center of 

 formal beds, in borders to form the background for 

 smaller plants, and for bold planting generally. Boots 

 that have wintered over in a firm and sound state should 

 now be started by dividing the clumps and cutting into 

 pieces of two eyes. Discard any piece that is unsound 

 and place them on dampened moss or sand on a bench 

 and cover lightly with moss. They should have bottom 

 heat, and temperature of from 60 to 65 degrees. When 

 they have made 4 or 5 inches of growth they can be lifted 

 and potted into 4-inch pots using any good rich soil, 

 giving them the fullest light possible so that by planting- 

 out time they will stand the strong sun and wind with- 

 out harm. 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS 



Early varieties and those that are intended for ex- 

 hibition should not be allowed to get root-bound as they 

 will become hardened, which will check their growth. 

 These plants are gross feeders so it is very important to 

 look to the fertility of your soil if you mean to produce 

 fine plants and bloom. Sod that was piled up last fall 

 and mixed at the rate of one part of well-decomposed 

 manure to three of chopped sod is good for shifts up to 



May and after that use half its bulk of half-decomposed 

 manure with some bone meal which will make an excel- 

 lent compost for pot plants. Don't delay propagating 

 all kinds that were especially meritorious last year. For 

 a succession of propagation see that the stock plants are 

 placed in good light and airy quarters. For medium and 

 late varieties, of course, good stock can be propagated 

 as late as the middle of May, but to have first-class stock 

 get all the propagating done as soon after March as 

 possible. To dispose of the black fly give two or three 

 consecutive fumigations. 



DOUBLE PYRETREUM 



Plants that are intended for Memorial Day should 

 now be far enough advanced to go into 4-inch pots. Use 

 a good loam three parts, manure one part, and place 

 them in a house where they will have all the sun and 

 plenty of ventilation. They like a cool atmosphere with 

 a sufficient amount of moisture at the roots. As the 

 weather gets milder and with strong sun they will do 

 better if placed in a frame. About the end of April they 

 will require another shift into either 5 or 6-inch pots. 

 Keep the plants nicely staked up and do not overlook 

 fumigating so green fly will not be allowed to get a foot- 

 hold. 



THE PERENNIAL BOEDER 



All florists should try to make their homes and places 

 of business attractive by the use of plants. It will induce 

 the people to love, care for, and use plants more 

 abundantly in their own homes. As the ground dries up, 

 remove the covering from the perennial border, and then 

 look over the plants as the winter sometimes does con- 

 siderable injury to many things. Now is a good time to 

 make new show borders. Give plenty of manure and 

 see that the ground is well trenched, because hardy 

 perennials attain the most perfect development when not 

 disturbed for some years. It is a good plan to replant 

 the border every fifth or sixth year, digging up all the 

 plants and giving the soil a liberal amount of cow 

 manure and bone. The strong-growing kinds will need 

 dividing. Before commencing to plant a border, it is 

 well to construct tables 'or make a list of the material, 

 specifying respective times of flowering, colors, and 

 attitudes so as to have good arrangement. A good dress- 

 ing of well-rotted manure thoroughly incorporated with 

 the soil is absolutely essential for good results. 



THE PROPAGATION OF DAHLIAS 



Eoots that were started early in this month should 

 produce now some nice sturdy cuttings. Place these on 

 a few inches of well-firmed sand with a little bottom 

 heat. Given good care as to spraying, shading, and 

 ventilation they will be ready in two or three weeks to 

 pot up. After they are well established give them a 

 place where they will have plenty of light and a tempera- 

 ture of from 50 to 55 degi'ees with ample ventilation. 

 Don't forget to syringe on all bright days to keep down 

 thrips and spider. Young seedlings that show the true 

 leaves can be potted into 3-inch pots, and repotted as 

 they may need it as it is not safe to plant out in this 

 latitude before the first of June. These are all better 

 if hardened off in a frame before they are planted out 

 in the open ground. 





South Norwalk, Conn. 



Mr, Farrell's next notes will be on the following: Asters; An- 

 thuriiims; Candytuft and Stocks; Care of Orchids; Nephrolepis; 

 Preparation for Easter. 



