September 19, 1914 



H R T I C U L T U B B 



419 



ROSE GROWING UNDER 

 GLASS 



^,.— CONDUCTED BY 



Questions by our readers in line witli any of the topics 

 presented on this page will be cordially received and promptly 

 answered by Mr. Ruzlcka. Such "ommunication should inva- 

 riably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



Liquid Manure 

 We prefer not to ii^e liquid manure on Beauties until 

 after the new year sets in, but with teas it is different, 

 and if their growth and stockinoss will warrant it, a dose 

 of liquid manure every now and then will prove of great 

 value towards making thorn move right on. We would 

 not advise using chemicals to make up the manure water, 

 for these would be more like stimulants than the plant 

 food that the plants need so badly to grow real good. 

 Cow manure will make a good liquid manure, and a 

 little bonemeal can be added to this whenever it is neces- 

 sary. We generally take a bag of it, and empty half of 

 it into another bag, and then throw the two bags into 

 the tank where the manure water is mixed. It will dis- 

 solve the bone gradually and take it to the plants with 

 the liquid. The same may be done with soot, but a 

 whole bag of this had better not be put in all at once 

 unless the tank is extra large, for the soot will dissolve 

 a little faster than the bone, and there is some danger of 

 getting too much of the soot into the liquid manure. 

 In watering with the liquid manure, see that all the 

 plants are plenty wet enough at the roots, and that none 

 of the liquid is allowed to splash over the leaves. It 

 might not bum the leaves, but would discolor them more 

 or less and would show that someone has been careless. 

 The best time to apply liquid manure is when the plants 

 have started to produce a good growth. The manure 

 will heliJ this along, and the stems of the coming crop 

 will be just so much longer. As soon as cool weather 

 sets in, it will be safe to apply liquid manure in moderate 

 doses. 



Tobacco Stems 



Now that the plants are well advanced in growth, it 

 will be wise to stop using tobacco stems for fumigating, 

 if these have been used all along. These are all right in 

 the simimer when the plants are not cutting, but as soon 

 as the plants begin to cut, and the roses are of any value, 

 it will be better to use some of the many papers adver- 

 tised, or else use spray, even though tlie last two may 

 be more expensive. Tobacco smoke is very bad for rose 

 blooms, especially white, and if used when the crop is 

 coming on the centers will be practically all burned out 

 of the blooms. Never apply the smoke in very strong 

 doses, as it is better to fumigate oftener and not use 

 the smoke too strong. This is also true of the spraying. 



Anthericum 



Considering the great diversity in genera and species 

 offered in hardy herbaceous plant catalogues tlie outsider 

 is apt to take it for certain to find in modern American 

 gardens adequate richness in variety, heightened by dis- 

 crimination in selecting the material and subsequent 

 originality in floral elTects. As far as the average comes 

 in question, I am afraid, in the main, we fail to come up 

 to reasonable expectations. In looking over the contents 

 we find ourselves confronted with a remarkable same- 

 ness both in plant material and its arrangement. 

 Granted, we employ species of merit; we give proof of 

 our sensitiveness in regard to harmony in color combina- 

 tions, but after all, we remain loath to avail ourselves of 

 anything beyond the well known traditional lines. This 

 self-confinement to a very limited number of species 

 deprives us more or less of our opportunities to exert 

 individual ingenuity. The garden owner, as amateur, 

 looks to the horticulturist for practical leadership and 

 the rank and file of the latter apparently lack ambition. 

 Certainly, we have as exceptions here and there — gar- 

 dens testifying to the mastership of tlieir originators in 

 handling and taking full advantage of the present wealth 

 of beautiful j.ilant material at our disposal. These are 

 examples which at a glance show the thorough familiar- 

 ity with the practical growing part of designer and care- 

 taker; examples testifying to an inate love for the work 

 done. Without tliose qualities we are bound to fail. 

 Love creates the enthusiasm necessary for extraordinary 

 results ; the experience as growers keeps us aware of the 

 limitations set by the cultural requirements of plant 

 species. Practical knowledge alone safeguards artistic 

 ingenuity from indulging in mere fantastical exploits, 

 which, as utter failures, bring discouragement, blocking 

 our road for advance. Object lessons of this kind dem- 

 onstrating the present need of experience in the field 

 of practical growing are by no means rare. 



At a recent visit to one of Philadelphia's most ad- 

 vanced herbaceous gardens your correspondent had the 

 pleasitre of enjoying the attractive old-time picture of a 

 few clumps of Anthericum Liliastrum, the well known 

 St. Bruno's lily. The narrow grass-like foliage and the 

 long spikes of small white flowers, sweetly fragrant, 

 awakened in the beholder's mind vivid reminiscences of 

 the past. We have lost sight of this garden inmate of 

 bygone days and are delighted to see it again. Similar 

 impressions are gained when we find ourselves con- 

 fronted with plantations of the St. Bernard's lily, An- 

 thericum Liliago. But both species, of late, have been 

 by far eclipsed by Anthericum Liliastrum giganteum. 

 This new giant form of the old St. Bruno's lily. Iiearing 

 stately spikes of large white flowers, resembling minia- 

 ture Madonna lilies, represents one of the choicest ma- 

 terials for the refined garden of today. Plantations of 

 the size shown by our illustration possess an irresistible 

 charm. Perfectly hardy, a rather light, but well en- 

 riched soil with ample drainage is essential for thrifty 

 growth. For northern districts the open sunny ex- 

 posure is a necessity. In the Middle Atlantic States light 

 partial shade seems to prolong the flowering season dur- 

 ing June and early July. Anthericum Liliastrum gi- 

 ganteum may be raised from seed sown in early spring. 

 To a limited extent we can propagate by division of 

 the root-stocks. Leaf-covering during winter will prove 

 the best material for protection. 



-^dutAxxAxiSiMjiy 



GUnside, Pa. 



