Jlay 12, 1917 



HORTICULTUEE 



611 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLCMIISTS* STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



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

 by Mr. Farrell. Such communications should invariably be addressed to the olHce of HORTICDLTL'KE. 

 "If Tmin MV toll, tn inisbt to blame the culture, not the goU." — Pope. 



Antirrhinums 



These make a vei7 useful adtlitioii to our outdoor cut 

 flowers during the summer as they are persistent bloom- 

 ers and have excellent lasting ijualities. Cuttings taken 

 now from indoor plants will soon root if kept shaded 

 and moist. A good way to get true stock to grow under 

 glass is to sow the seed now and plant outside where 

 they will show up tnie. Where antirrhinums are raised 

 somewhat extensively, it is liest to always have seedling 

 on hand as a source for annual propagation. The blooms 

 of the seedhng are never quite so imiform in color as 

 those raised by cuttings. The growth coming in the 

 form of sturdy shoots from the base of tlie plants makes 

 the best cuttings that will produce long large flowering 

 spikes. It is time now to start stock for next winter. 

 The seed should be sown in separate colors of white, 

 jiink, red and yellow. 



Bay Trees 



In order to keep these in splendid form they should 

 be cut into shape in the spring just before the new 

 growth starts and tlien the young growths pinched back 

 as they develop. About every three or four years they 

 will need more root room and some good new soil but 

 tliey should be kept in as small tubs as possible. Bay 

 trees want an abundance of water from now until au- 

 tumn. During the summer they should be set out in a 

 convenient place where the hose can be used on them 

 freely. The tubs where convenient should be plunged 

 in order to protect the roots from drying out. The bay 

 can endure a few degrees of frost so the trees may be 

 placed outdoors anytime now. They will be greatly 

 helped by the application of some liquid manure during 

 tlie summer months for the health and vigor of bay trees 

 depends greatly on the care they have during the hot 

 weather. They should have a good syringing about once 

 a week anyhow. Those that are pot bound will be better 

 for some liquid manure once a week. 



Lorraine Begonias 



With the rush of other work do not neglect these 

 ]ilants as they will soon show it. As they grow give 

 them a spacing from time to time to let the light and 

 air around them. Keep them in a temperature of from 

 55 to 60 degi-ees at night. Those in 2 or 3-inch pots 

 that have advanced sufficiently in root growth to require 

 a shift should have it before they become too pot bound. 

 They like nice mellow soil. A turf that was piled up 

 last fall four parts, well-rotted manure and leaf mold 

 one part each, and some sand, will make a good mixture 

 for them. See that good drainage is provided for every 

 plant. Give plenty of ventilation in good weather. A 



little shade duiing the noon hours will help, but to keep 

 them shaded all the time is wrong. Stop the points to 

 induce them to a bushy growth. 



Cemetery Vases 



Many customers object, and rightly, to the miscel- 

 laneous mixtures usually palmed off on them when they 

 ask to have a vase filled. Usually they are far better if 

 planted with one solid color of geraniums and if some 

 drooping plant is wanted, use green rather than varie- 

 gated vinca, German ivy, English ivy or even one of the 

 ivy-leaved geraniums of the same shade of color. Old 

 geranium plants will make a better immediate effect 

 than young ones and will bloom with gi-eater freedom. 

 Where large sized vases are used, at cemetery entrances, 

 for instance, one plant of large size must be used in each. 

 In addition to the ever useful Dracaena indivisa such 

 ])alms as Latania, borbonica or phoenix can be used. 

 These will of course be of a darker color where they can 

 get shade from overhanging trees but they will stand 

 full exposure. 



Gardenias 



Some growers think it pays to carry over old plants. 

 Sometimes they can be pruned back and break nicely. 

 The trouble, however, is that collar rot is liable to at- 

 tack them. No matter how carefully they are looked 

 after, once this appears the plants are useless. Eather 

 than to run any risk of this kind, it is better to plant 

 fresh each summer. Plant a new stock. Mucli of suc- 

 cess of gardenia culture lies in having the compost 

 porous so that water can pass readily through it. In 

 hue soil which holds moisture long, the plants will inev- 

 itably fall a prey to the yellows. Good fibrous loam two- 

 thirds and the other third of dried, rather lumpy cow 

 manure, broken charcoal and coarse sand makes an ex- 

 cellent compost. A fefl- shovels of soot, mixed through 

 the pile before housing it, will assist materially in the 

 k-eeping of the foliage a dark, lustrous green color. Do 

 not use over five inches of soil ; four inches is better than 

 six. Allow the plants eighteen to twenty inches between 

 the rows. 



Reminders 



Sow salpiglossis in rows where tlie plants have to re- 

 main as they dislike being disturbed. 



Ericas, boronias, camellias and acacias, if properly 

 hardened can be planted out by the middle of this 

 month. 



Iris hispanica is a useful flower for Memorial Day. 

 If the spikes are pushing up by the middle of the month 

 they will be in season. Try to hold a good batch of 

 Gladiolus Colvillei, the Bride. Blushing Bride and 

 I'each Blossom for the same festival. 



Next Week :— Amaryllis ; AUam andas ; Chrysanthemums: Cibotium Schiedei ; Canterbury Bells; Reminders. 



