August 29, 1914 



HOETICULTUBE 



;;i9 



ROSE GROWING UNDER GLASS 



^ CONDICTEU BY 



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

 by Mr. Ruzicka. Such communications should invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTDRE. 



Mulching 



With houses that were planted rather early, the plants 

 will be of a good size by this lime, and if allowed to go 

 iinrmilched much longer they may receive a very serious 

 check that will hold them back for the whole season. 

 The object of the first mulch should not be to feed the 

 plants so much, but to protect the fine young feeding 

 roots that will be filling up the benches from now on. 

 If no mulch at all is applied the benches are very apt to 

 get too dry in places, and with the hot rays of the sun it 

 will not take very long to kill a large number of these 

 little rootlets. Apply the mulch a little thinner on the 

 north side of the benches, for they will receive more 

 shade, and the mulch might prove everything but good 

 for the plants. Well decayed cow manure should be the 

 only material used, so that the plants will have some- 

 thing to get their roots into as they need it. Do not 

 apply it very thick, but just enough to cover the surface 

 of the benches. Nothing will be gained by piling it on 

 thick. Water will only wash the plant food away for the 

 plants will only take it so fast and no faster. Better 

 apply less and then when it is all gone apply more. There 

 will be no chance taken with the weather then, and should 

 a dark cloudy spell come, all those who mulched lightly 

 need not worry, for the benches will not remain as soggy 

 as they would if covered with a deep layer of manure. 



Use of Bone Meal 



Before any mulch is applied it is advisable to use a 

 little honemeal, dusting it on the benches as carefully as 

 possible, to get it evenly distributed. This is important, 

 for the plants will behave much better if they are all 

 treated alike, instead of giving some of them more food 

 than others. Use only pure honemeal, and not any pre- 

 pared stuff that the dealer claims is the same. Never 

 apply anything to the benches unless you know just what 

 it is composed of, or there may be a chance to regret it. 

 The reason why bone is used so much is because it is more 

 of a food than a stimulant, and its effect will be noticed 

 long after any fertilizer would be gone. As soon as the 

 honemeal is applied, go over the benches, and rub the 

 bone into the soil ever so lightly, just enough to slightly 

 incorporate the surface of the soil with the honemeal, and 

 thus keep the latter from forming a crust that will shed 

 all water and keep a dry spot under it for a long time. 

 Never use weeders, or scratchcrs for this work, as they 

 are sure to go too deep, and damage the roots. Needless 

 to say, all leaves that may lie on the benches should be 

 removed before the bone is applied, and no undesirable 

 matter should be covered up with the manure to avoid 



the task of removing it. Clean the benches well before 

 any mulch is applied. 



Ventilation After Mulching 



Do not make the mistake and close the houses down- 

 after a mulch of manure is applied. This would prove 

 harmful, and if the manure is thoroughly decayed the 

 ammonia escaping from it would be very likely to bum. 

 the foliage. Generally it will turn a good many leaves- 

 yellow if the vents are allowed to be closed too much, sa 

 it will be well to choose sunny weather for doing all 

 mulching. Old leak)' houses will require less air than 

 new houses, or houses that are kept in good shape, and 

 are tight. Make this distinction when you ventilate. 



Watering 



This should not be trusted to the boy or any other 

 person incapable of doing his work. The hose in the 

 hands of a wrong or unskilled person is a very dangerous- 

 weapon, and will make trouble if not used with care.. 

 If the plants were well selected in the start, and kept 

 growing evenly the watering will not be such a problemi 

 as when big plants were mixed with little ones, and so on.. 

 Whichever is the case, see that they are watered evenly,, 

 leaving the poor and weak plants on the dry side a least 

 hit. Otherwise try to keep the whole house as even as 

 possible. Do not force the plants by excessive water- 

 ing at this time of the year, for they will generally not 

 like it, and will then rest when the prices are high. Keep 

 them going by all means but do not induce them to over- 

 do the blooming stunt now, and have them sleep later 

 on. This applies to Beauties especially, for they will 

 produce about so many flowers and no more, and if forced 

 too hard early in the season will not do so well later on. 



Dark Corners 



On every place that has existed for a number of years,. 

 there will be found places at the ends of the houses, near 

 the potting sheds, etc., where no roses will thrive to any 

 extent, and it would be far more profitable to grow some 

 asparagus or smila.v, or any other gieen that may prove 

 useful around the place. Good asparagus will always 

 sell, and it will be found that it will thrive well in these 

 shady places that are generally quite warm. The above 

 is onlv too true with cross houses and we would never 

 attempt to grow roses in these, for they would be more 

 trouble than t'ley would be worth. Then, too, the cross- 

 houses are generally a source of diseases for it is here 

 that mildew will start, also spot or spider. Better keep 

 the roses where they should be, and grow something that 

 will pay in the crosshouses. 



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