September 12, 1914 



HOKTICULTUEE 



385 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS* STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



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pi.-^a^^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 office of HORTICDLTURB. 



Chrysanthemums 



Contlitions are very different from what they were a 

 month ago. when plants wonkl dry in a few minutes 

 after they liad been sprayed. Now we have cooler 

 weather and less evaporation. As the days grow cooler, 

 less spraying is necessary, and one good syringing on 

 bright days is sufficient. After the bud is taken and 

 the stem is thickening, the latter should begin to "bark 

 up" at the base, and get away from the green, soft ap- 

 pearance that characterizes the plants during their sum- 

 mer growtli. If your ])iants are very soft and gross, less 

 water both at the root and in the atmosphere is the 

 quickest way to harden them up. Blackfly and greenfly 

 will be quite troublesome so keep them in check by a sys- 

 tematic spraying with some insecticide or fumigation 

 once a week. 



Planting Peonies 



There is no better time than from now and up to the 

 first of October for planting peonies. Good peonies 

 may be grown in almost any soil that has an open sunny 

 position, but above all other perennials they like a deeply 

 dug and rich soil. The best way to prepare is to plow or 

 dig deeply and mix plenty of well rotten manure, bone 

 and wood ashes. Be sure to iiave the soil in a fine pul- 

 verized condition before you start to plant. They should 

 be planted no closer than four feet apart each way and 

 about four inches deep. Get good varieties as they do 

 not cost one cent more to grow tlian poorer ones. 



Prepare for Frost 



Take in all palms and foliage plants in pots and tubs 

 that have been standing around for decoration. See that 

 greenhouses, frames and sash to be used for storing 

 such material are thoroughly overhauled and put in 

 order. There are some sections where it may not be 

 cold enough for a month yet to harm anything: still, 

 even there prevention is better than cure, and all plants 

 of doubtful hardiness should be placed where they can be 

 speedily put under cover when necessary. A little frost 

 will not damage genistas, azaleas, ericas, acacias, camel- 

 lias and others of the hard-wonded section, but bouvar- 

 dias, heliotropes and scented geraniums go almost as 

 quickly as alternantheras, or coleus. Frames that are 

 holdinsr such stock as cinerarias, calceolarias, cyclamen. 



primulas, etc., should have their sashes in readiness now 

 for immediate service. Frost may be expected at any 

 time noM, so prejmre by lifting all stock of a tender 

 nature from the field rows and have them potted or 

 boxed up. 



Planting a Perennial Border 



Where a flori.st is near a large city he should endeavor 

 to make a show border. First of all make a draAving of 

 the proposed border, giving each plant its proper position 

 on the drawing. Mingle the colors so as to harmonize, 

 and select such a variety of plants as will provide an 

 equal amount of bloom continuously through the season. 

 Do not plant too closely and for a background plant 

 something in the evergreen line. These show borders 

 are to stand for some years so the soil should be trenched 

 deep and lots of well rotted barnyard manure mixed well 

 in. See that every one is well firmed at the root. If the 

 weather happens to be dry they can lie watered occa- 

 sionally to give them a start. 



Orchids 



In the cattleya house nearly all i\w plants will need 

 (juite a supply of water at the roots, but with the cooler 

 nights and heavy dews the house should be kept less 

 damp at night. Some fire heat from now on with venti- 

 lation will be advisable. Eemove some of the shade now; 

 it may make the foliage paler, but it is bound to make 

 them more floriferous. Always allow the plants to dry 

 out between waterings, as they must not be kept in a 

 soaked condition all the time. Give liquid feeding to 

 all that are making bulbs, but when the bulbs are well 

 made up and the buds ready to show in the sheath.s, feed- 

 ing should be discontinued. See that they are kept 

 clean of scale, etc. Keep the temperature from 55 to 58 

 degrees at night. 



Genistas 



These .should be placed where they can have 

 >ome pKoteetion during frosty nights. It is in keeping 

 tn have these plants as cool as possible without danger 

 from frost. If protertion cannot be given outside they 

 shciuhl 1)0 placetl in tiie coolest house and even during the 

 whiter the temperature sliouhl never be iiigher than 45 

 decrees at night. 



Jlr. Farrf*ir< Tifxt iiMtos will Im 



r.ii the following: Mignonette; Freesias; Liiiiiirt KiiiUni; for Chr.vsnnthenuinis 

 ing< Bulbs; Violets; Salvia. 



Sniiiincr Flower- 



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