August 29. iyi4 



HORTICULTURE 



ol7 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS^ STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



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'^..pAA^iO/' 



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

 by Mr. Farrell. Such communications should invariably be addressed to the olljce of HORTICULTURE. 



I 'ORAirV 



Care of Carnations 



From now on until cool weather is a most critical 

 time in the life of the carnation. With the transfer 

 from tlie field to the house, the vitality falls to the low- 

 est point. Keep the beds very clean from weeds or any 

 foreign substance and look out for the fatal stem rot. 

 The successful passing of this critical period is in good 

 care in watering, ventilating and keeping house and 

 plants clean. Be very careful when working through 

 the plants not to break any of the growth near the soil 

 as this is where the majoriT:y of the plants become 

 alfected with the stem-rot fungus. 



Feeding Chrysanthemums 



During the last half of August and through Septem- 

 ber we should feed chrysanthemums liberally. This 

 will help to make good strong stems that will produce 

 fine flowers. Light mulch of half-decayed cow manure 

 is a great help in maintaining moisture in the soil, as 

 well as affording good nourishment for the plants. 

 Before putting on the mulch, apply a sprinkling of fine 

 bone and rufile the surface over with the fingers, being 

 careful not to dig up the soil so deep as to break off any 

 roots in the operation. If cow manure is not available 

 sheep or liojse manure may be used, but more care must 

 be exercised because they are much more caustic and are 

 apt to burn the roots. Whatever is used must be broken 

 up very fine. Never give these plants manure water 

 while they are dry. Always see that they are moist at 

 the roots before applying liquid feeding. 



Planting French Bulbs 

 It will soon be time to plant Roman hyacinths and 

 paper white narcissi bulbs. Do not use old worn-out 

 soil, but give them a good compost of fibrous soil inter- 

 mixed with about one-third well-decayed manure. Use 

 boxes of a uniform size because it is economy of space. 

 We find 12 x 24 inches, and .3 inches deep, a convenient 

 size and they are not backbreaking to carry in and out 

 of the houses. You can put the bulbs quite close. Sixty 

 Roman hyacinths or fifty paper whites will go in a flat 

 of the size mentioned. Let the top of each bulb be 

 even with the surface of the soil or top of the box. The 

 soil should be moderately fii'in beneath and around the 

 bulbs. There is no better jilace for the flats than out- 

 doors. Before covering the flats with three inches of 

 earth, or whatever material you use, give them a most 

 thorough watering. We shall get lots of warm div 

 weather before tlicse bulljs arc brought into the green- 

 _». house and the object of putting them in flats so early 

 ^ and covering them with eartli is to get a good root 

 S^ growth without starting the bulb. They must not be 

 ' neglected for water. Paper whites do not need to be 

 ^~* covered. 



1,1 Mr. Parrell's next notes will be on the following: Primulas; Cy 



Schizanthtis Wisetonensis 



One of the best annuals for cut flowers in winter, or 

 for use as a pot plant for house decoration, is Schizan- 

 tlius Wisetonensis. If wanted at Christmas, the seed 

 should be sown now in pans or flats, in a mixture of 

 loam, leaf mold and sand. As soon as the seedlings can 

 be handled put tiiem in 2^-inch pots. Keep them pot- 

 ted on and flower thciii in G-inch pots. When the pots 

 are filled with roots, manure water should be given twice 

 a week until the plants show color. ■ If large plants are 

 wanted, they can he shifted into 9-inch pots and, if 

 grown cool, they \\ill make plants measuring two-feet 

 or more througli. We find, however, that the 6-inch 

 size is the most convenient to handle. For these shifts 

 give rich mixture, say two-thirds fibrous loam to one- 

 third of well decayed cow manure. A later batch can be 

 sown in September, to flower in February and March. 

 These can be grown in pots or planted out on a light 

 bench, ten inches apart in a sandy loam. They should 

 have the same culture as stocks, with a night tempera- 

 ture of 45 to 50 degrees. They need plenty of water 

 when established. 



Violets 



At about this time of the year a period in the violet 

 growing season begins that is fraught with difficulties, of 

 which the fine appearance of the stock at present gives 

 no warning and the grower has reason to be constantly 

 on the watch for what might prove of evil to his stock 

 until conditions are more nearly under .his eontroL 

 Dead and diseased leaves, premature buds and side run- 

 ners, must be plucked or cut off, and snails, wood lice 

 and 'such creatures, if present in old benches, can be 

 destroyed by a tempting mixture of meal, sugar and 

 paris green which should be strewn here and there 

 among the plants and along the edges of the bench. 

 Overwatering, with never a chance for the soil to dry- 

 out a bit. is the common cause of too soft a growth. 

 Sudden risino- or falling in temperature, also shifting 

 winds cold rains or freezing nights, alternating with 

 sun-vai-med days-all tend to keep the grower active 

 in guarding against foes from -without and within the 

 houses. 



Ventilating Orchids 



In the cool house we can keep on plenty of ventilation 

 for some time yet. The intermediate house will want 

 a little less every week and by the end of the month they 

 will need some fire heat. In the warm house they will 

 need but little ventilation and nice fire heat during the 

 night from now on. 



clamen; Dutch Bolbs; Hydianpeas; Sweet Peas; Starting the Fires. 



