August 8, 1914 



HORTICULTURE 



169 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS^ STOCK 



CONDICTED BY 



l*Ay.%p1.. Pi^,AlU 



Questions by our readers iu line with any of tlie topics presented on tbis page will be cordially received and promptly answered 

 by Mr. Farreil. Such communications should invariably be addressed to the oflicc of HORTICULTURE. 



Aspidistra 



To increase stock of this very useful plant, divide up 

 some of the most densely grown plants into pieces of 

 two or three leaves each and pot into 4 or 5-incli pots, 

 using a compost of three part? of new loam, two of leaf 

 mold and one of sand. Place them in a house that is 

 shaded and kept rather close. While making new roots 

 they will want careful watering and syringing to keep 

 them in a moist state. When they have made enough 

 of headway so they can sup]jort themselves they can be 

 given more light which will harden them up. 



Care of Chrysanthemums 



Chrysanthemums will need lots of feeding Just as 

 soon as the roots run through all the soil. A good 

 mulch of well decomposed cow manure will be found 

 beneficial, as it will keep the plants from drying out 

 at the root and will afford needed nourishment. Before 

 this manure is applied a dusting of bone meal on top 

 of the soil should be given. I say bone meal ; the coarser 

 grades of bone do not give up their plant food quickly 

 enough to be of much use and will only just begin to 

 work after the flowers have been cut and the crop 

 finished. If well decomposed manure is not available, 

 the frest manure should be used in the form of a liquid, 

 putting a shovelful or so into a barrel of water and mix- 

 ing it thoroughly. With all respect to the many reme- 

 dies recommended for use on 'mums there is no insect 

 that infests them that cannot as well or better be 

 cleaned out by use of Aphine or one of the liquid 

 tobacco extracts. 



Dahlias 



With their large amount of foliage dahlias are bound 

 to take up large quantities of moisture and in dry 

 weather will need water. Where they have been 

 kept well cultivated since they were planted they will 

 be well prepared to stand some drought. Do not fail 

 to give them some stakes before they get too Irigh. 

 Pinch out all the lateral growth ; this will throw the 

 strength into the flower wanted. About every two 

 weeks give them a broadcast sowing of some fertilizer 

 that shows a good amount of ammonia, phosphoric acid 

 and potash. Nitrate of soda one part, and bone meal 

 four parts, mixed and sowed between the rows will give 

 good results. 



Hollyhocks 



Now is the time to start young stock of hoUyhoclcs. 

 They are very popular and are sure to come in very use- 

 ful in many ways, both the single and the double varie- 

 ties. Where you have some frames at hand there is no 

 better place to sow the seed, ifake the compost light 

 and mix in a good proportion of leaf mold and sand. 

 Do not sow broadcast, but in siiallow drills about flve 

 inches apart. This will make it easier to keep the seed- 

 lings clear of weeds and the ground frequently stirred. 

 Keep them shaded and moist until germination begins 



when they should have the full sun. When big enough 

 they should be transplanted into other frames leaving 

 4 or 5-inches between each plant. To prevent disease 

 spray about every ten days with ammoniacal solution. 



Orchids 



Calanthes should now be making a strong and healthy 

 growth. They still need an abundant water supply, 

 with manure water twice a week. Cow or sheep manure, 

 with some soot added, strained through a bag, is a safe 

 nanure for these and many other orchids. Do not fail 

 to keep the air humid by several dampings down 

 during the day, but never allow a stagnant atmosphere. 

 Watch the plants so they do not suft'er for water but 

 do not keep them wet all the time as the compost will 

 become sour. An oversupply of water is usually the 

 cause of black spots on the leaves. It is always better 

 to permit these orchids to dry out occasionally so the 

 compost will be kept sweet. The night temperature 

 should be 70 degrees. In admitting air, always avoid 

 drafts. They cannot stand air like cattleyas without 

 suffering. 



Sowing; Myosotis and Daisies 



Where a stock of these plants is wanted make a sow- 

 ing now. There is no better place than in a cold frame, 

 ilake the surface nice and fine and sow the seed in 

 drills about 4-inches apart. See that they are nicely 

 firmed and kept moist. When big enough to handle 

 they can be pricked out into other frames where they 

 can stay until spring. 



Poinscttias and Begonias 



Dear Sir — Kindly let me know, through the columns 

 of Horticulture, whether it is possible to keep poinsettias 

 recently potted into small pots, and to transplant them 

 into three-inch pots as the final shift, to carry them until 

 Christmas with the help of liquid manure? Also, until 

 how late is it advisable to take cuttings of Begonia Lor- 

 raine and Cincinnati, in order to have them in flower for 

 Christmas? I have some leaf cuttings of the former men- 

 tioned plants in sand; will they make small flowering 

 plants for Christmas if potted now? J. R. 



You would find it quite a job to keep poinsettias in 

 three-inch pots, and have them in anything like a salable 

 condition for Christmas. They are sure to become 

 ftiintcd and lose most of their foliage. Why not xilant 

 them in 4 or 5-inch pots and when these pots are filled 

 with roots feed with liquid manure? Then you would 

 be able to have a presentable plant with good-sized 

 bracts. The leaf cuttings that you have in the sand are 

 late enough and should make nice little begonias in 

 three-inch pots by Cliristmas if you grow them on 

 without a check. Use three parts of turfy loam, two 

 of well decayed cow manure and one part each of leaf 

 mold and sand. Keep them on a bench well up to the 

 class. They should be provided with some shade dur- 

 mg the hottest part of the day. Be careful to water 

 them evenly. 



Mr Farrell's next nates will be on the following: Care of Carnations; Cinerarias; Lorraine Begonias; 



Palms; Propagate Variegated Vinca. 



Lilium Candldum ; Young 



