March 17, 1917 



HORTICULTUKE 



329 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



COMDDOTBD BT 



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

 by Mr. I'arrell. Such communications should InTarlably be addressed to the odice of HORTICULTURE. 

 "If vain our toil, we ought to blame the culture, not the soil." Pope. 



Azaleas 



To hold the most forward ones back, place iu dark- 

 eued and very cool quarters, but the roots of azaleas must 

 liave water in sufiBcienc}', which may mean somewhat less 

 for those in a cool place than those under regular forcing 

 temperature but always enough to prevent any drying out 

 at the roots. A very cool and shaded place must be found 

 for those too far advanced. There will be little need of 

 hastening azaleas for the great sp.ring lioliday, Init 

 should there be some plants showing merely swelling 

 buds, then an increase in fire heat and an exposure to 

 the brightest sunshine will likely bring them out in 

 time. An azalea just beginning to show color, or one 

 with buds now quite fluffy and ready to open, will be 

 in full bloom in from ten to fifteen days. 



Care of Carnations 



Carnations develop the healthiest growth in a night 

 temperature of about 50 and Si degrees, according to the 

 variety. Much below 60 degrees causes a standstill in 

 growth, which is not at all desirable and in most cases 

 is harmful. With the longer days they will now need 

 more water. It is absolutely necessary now to give air 

 freely in order to keep the foliage from becoming soft 

 and to encourage hard growth. Our old enemy, red 

 spider, will begin to get bu,?y if not looked after sharply, 

 but as we can now use water more freely we can keej) 

 them in check. Thrips and green fly will also multiply 

 rapidly if left undisturbed for even a short period. Car- 

 nations will stand lots of feeding now, so you can give 

 them a mulch and liquid manure water, too. It is best 

 til cut the flowers early in the morning as they keep bet- 

 ter and the jiink shades retain their color better. 



Flowers for Memorial Day 



Spiraea japonica and its various forms should be 

 brought along now. Fifty-five to 60 degrees at night 

 will suit them better than a higher one. For hydran- 

 geas .55 degrees night temperature is to be preferred, but 

 in case they are late give them 10 degrees more for a 



Next Week: — Adi.nntums; Bulb Stock; Camellias 



time. Spraying overhead on clear days will refresh 

 them. They will take water in great "abundance and 

 manure water can be applied tw'o or three times a day 

 until the flowers are well out. It is a hard proposition 

 to hold lilies back where they have been allowed to ad- 

 vance too much. Place them in a house where they can 

 have plenty of ventilation with a good syringing on 

 bright days. Fumigate weekly for aphis. Benches con- 

 taining ten weeks' stocks, gladioli, snapdragons, candy- 

 tuft and other Memorial Day crops, should be scratched 

 over at least once a week and have all weeds removed. 



Sweet Peas for Outside 



Tlie best place for sweet peas is one fully exposed to 

 >un and air which would be for the rows to run 

 north and soutli. A good deep loam well enriched with 

 j.ilenty of well-rotted cow manure and plowed deep, with 

 a surface dressing of bone meal and hardwood a.shes 

 makes an ideal place. Make a furrow or trench from 6 

 to 8 inches deep. Sow the seed thickly in the bottom 

 and cover with two' inches of soil pressing down finnly. 

 When they come up tliin out to about two inches apart. 

 The balance of the soil should be filled into the trench 

 as they grow. Where you have them in pots, do not give 

 any artificial heat. The ideal place is a cold frame. 

 Under these conditions they will have a natural start 

 anil will nial<e fine stock to plant out later. 



Reminders 



Winter flowering geraniums must be cut over and the 

 tops inserted as cuttings for next year's stock. 



Soot water is excellent as a change from the ordinary 

 manure water for roses, carnations and the majority of 

 ])lants. 



Pinch out all the side shoots on tuberose bulbs before 

 potting or planting. This will add to the strength of 

 the main stem. 



When repotting the young cyclamens avoid covering 

 the corms deejily as this checks growth and frequently 

 cripples the young leaves. 



Cattlyaa and Laelias; Easter Lilies; Reminders. 



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