102 



HOETICULTTTRE 



January 27, 1917 



picking up and will, barring unforeseen contingencies, 

 give a fine crop of Howers the coming spring. It is also 

 a mistake to give them too low a night temperature. 

 We can educate thcni to 50 or even 35 degrees, and when 

 given this night temperature and plenty of sun, it is 

 astonishing how much progress the}- will make. Do 

 not keep tlie house too damp during dull murky weather, 

 but during bright weather you can damp down two ov 

 three times a day. On all good days see that the air if 

 changed even if it is only for an hour at a time as 

 these orchids are fresh air subjects. During bright 

 days give tliem a s])raying over head. 



Sowing Palm Seed 



J'ahn seed is very iri-egulai- iji germination. While 

 .some will start in tliree or four weeks others may not 

 show for nearly a year. See that perfect drainage is 

 provided for, as this is very essential. They should 

 have about (55 degrees, with a good bottom heat. After 

 covering the bottom of the bench with potsherds, put a 

 layer of spliagnum over all, and then fill with about 

 three inches of a compost of equal parts (jf soil, peat and 



leaf mold. The seeds should be covered from a half 

 inch to one inch according to their size. It is well to 

 employ some sashes to cover the bench as it helps to 

 regulate the atmospheric moisture while controling the 

 temperature, thereby keeping them in a uniform state. 

 When the first leaf has expanded they should be potted 

 into small pots and grow on. 



Reminders 



Get the late sweet peas planted out before they get 

 pot-bound. 



Sow Thunbergia alata early in order to have good 

 jdants for filling baskets in May. 



Start early any dahlias of which the stock is short, 

 in order to have strong plants and plenty of them. 



After cutting heavily keep the adiantums a little on 

 tlie dry side. A short rest will give more vigorous 

 growth later. 



Tagetes signata puraila is one of the finest annuals 

 for bedding, so it should be included in your seed order, 

 but do not sow it too early. 



Next week: Bedrting Plants; Caruaticm Cuttings; Chrysanthemums; Fibrous-Rooted Begonias; Primulas; Reminders. 



Alpine Asters 



Alpine asters rank high among 

 the showiest spring and early sum- 

 mer flowering perennials of medium 

 and low growth. Their compara- 

 tively large star-shaped flowers, in 

 clear lavender, borne on single 

 stems and appearing in great abun- 

 dance, never fail to draw attention. 

 Aster subcoaruleus, the tallest spe- 

 cies, is a veiy handsome subject for 

 the mixed border when planted close 

 together in clumps of from six to 

 twelve plants. The bright blue, 

 daisy-like flowers with brownish- 

 yellow center on stems nearly 18 

 inches long, during June, are valu- 

 able for cutting. 



Alpine asters may be easily raised 

 from seed sown in a cold frame dur- 

 ing jMarch or April. Transferred 

 into tlie open ground they thrive 

 best in a light richly manured soil. 

 Proper care should be taken that 

 plantations do not suffer by lack of 

 of irrigating during their growing season. Once 

 stunted in growth it takes considerable time to liring 

 the vigor necessary to oljtain the floral effect depicted 

 by our illustration. Seedlings flower the second year 

 and as a rule vary somewhat in color and form. This 

 gives us the opportunity for improving our stain by 

 careful selection of the plants we take our seed frorri. 

 Aster subcoeruleus floribundus, with large flowers of a 

 beautiful lavender color, offered abroad, is an instance 

 demonstrating the advisability of careful selection. 



The species Aster alpinus with lavender blue flowers 

 and its latest improvements listed under: A. alpinus 

 "Nixe," "Rex" and alpinus superbus we know to be 



Aster alpinus superbus as edging 



ideal rock garden material. On accomit of their low 

 and coniiiact habit of growth, they prove invaluable as 

 iiighly effective edging during May. Aster alpinus 

 superbus is also well adapted for slow forcing in pots. 

 The propagation by dividing old plants should be 

 done right after flowering. Made early in July divis- 

 ions are re-established plants by fall, ready to be planted 

 on the space where we want them to flower the succeed- 

 ing S])ring. For winter protection I prefer leaf- 

 coverins'. 



Glens'uh', Pa. 



SLtAyCLAxi-S^x/&L 



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