November 14, 1914 



HOKTICULTUBE 



683 



ROSE GROWING UNDER GLASS 



. CONDUCTED BY 



Questions by our readers In Hue wltb any of the topics presented on this page will be cordially received and promptly answered 

 by Mr. Kuzkka. Such communications should mvarlably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



Last Chance For Repairs 



Snow has appeared here and tliere all over tlie north- 

 em section of the country. The squalls that it came iu 

 were miniature storms, sent out as it would seem, to 

 warn us of what is coming later on in the winter. With 

 this in mind it will be a wise gi-ower who will take the 

 last chance and go over his houses if he has not alreadj- 

 done so, and see that all is in good shape, all loose glass 

 taken out, and securely fastened, after being imbedded 

 in fresh putty. The work is much more pleasant now 

 when done on a nice day, than it will be later in a 

 storm with the wind blowing about fifty miles an hour 

 from the north pole. All crevices, and all broken glass 

 that is likely to make trouble should be seen to, and 

 will insure tlie giowers a much more peaceful mind 

 when the storms do come. The coal bill can be de- 

 creased a little by having the houses tight. Among the 

 old houses of the three-quarter-span type, there will no 

 doubt be some that will need bracing to keejj them up 

 should a strong wind come witli damp snow. It is not 

 very nice to plough through the sleet at night to do 

 this work when the storm is raging. Better do all re- 

 pairing now, and have it done. 



Ventilation 



The season having advanced, every possible care should 

 be given to ventilation, as this has a good deal to do with 

 the successful growing of roses. See that the houses are 

 not closed down tight unless the temperature outside 

 falls to 28 or 26. Otherwise it is best to keep a crack 

 of air on all night long. This will apply esf)ecially to 

 new houses, or to houses that are kept up in extra good 

 shape, for these are bound to be tight, and will hold air 

 much more than the old leaky houses found on a good 

 many places. It will also be advisable to run the houses 

 a little cooler now. Do not let them run much more 

 than 66 deg. F. on cloudy days, and not more than 78 

 on clear days. Putting on air should begin in the morn- 

 ing as soon as the theiTaometers show an increase of 

 four degrees over the night temperature. Then apply 

 a little more air as the temperature rises, say a little for 

 every three or four degrees until the highest temperature 

 for the day is reached, and keep it there until it natur- 

 ally begins to decline in the afternoon. Always aim to 

 have the houses open at least a little bit when the sun 

 is shining, a practise that applies at all times except in 

 the extreme winter when the sun's rays are not so 

 strong, and when the weather is extremely cold. Be 

 very careful to see that there are no sudden changes in 

 temperature, as that makes ideal conditions for mildew 

 to start. 



Mr. Euzlcka's notes for next week wiU be: Lime; Damping 



Night Temperature 



Try to niaiutaiii tbr same heat all night, unless you 

 want to vary it during certain hours for the benefit of 

 the plants. Make sure that your thenuometers are right, 

 and that they register the right temperature. We had 

 trouble once with a house running very uneven, and had 

 it not been that the night man was very trustworthy, he 

 would have the blame for this. However, other houses 

 were all right, and the trouble was finally located in the 

 recording thermometers that were used there. Just be- 

 fore the winter season sets in it' is well to collect all 

 thermometers, and after carefully marking them as to 

 where they belong, test the whole bunch, and discard 

 all that have a tendency to show that they are not regis- 

 tering true. It will pay to do this, when we consider 

 the important part that the thermometer plays in rose 

 growing, and yet these silent helpers are seldom ques- 

 tioned as to their reliability. 



Syringing 



We can easily say that the weather has been ideal for 

 gi'owing not only roses, but other greenliouse stock as 

 well. To hope that this will continue would be asking 

 too much, and there is nothing like being ready for a 

 dark spell of weather should one arrive. Therefore, it 

 will be of advantage not to lose a chance to syringe 

 when the weather is fit, and try to clean out all possible 

 traces of spider. Then if some dark days do come there 

 will be little to woriy about, for if the plants are free 

 from this pest they can go quite a while without syring- 

 ing. Tliere are growers who syringe regardless of 

 weather, but we prefer to stick to some of the old ideas 

 even though they are a little old-fashioned at times. 

 Therefore we would advise all not to syringe unless the 

 day promises to remain clear, and when the plants are 

 not too dry. Syringe in the morning, always, and never 

 fail to shake the plants well after they are syringed. 

 This will take away all the water that hangs on in 

 drops, and it is surprising how much quicker the plants 

 will dry ofE. Use plenty of pressure, as much as can be 

 used without tearing the plants all to pieces. Syringe 

 as quickly as possible, and always take three rows from 

 the back of the bench, and only one from the front. 

 This will throw the largest part of the water to the front 

 of the bench where the plants will be in better position 

 to stand it. Be careful to clean the corners well, and 

 also wherever the hose meets between the faucets. Use 

 good hose, for there is nothing to be gained by mending 

 hose that is so old that it falls apart. Sell that to the 

 junk dealer, and save your men a lot of trouble and 

 nerve rackinsr by giving them good hose. Men who use 

 it carelessly "will need a little looking after, but these 

 are few we hope. 



Down; Fumigation; Cuttings; Disbudding; Old Beauty Plants; 

 Sand.' 



