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GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



or on a veranda for the Siininicr. ("jeraniunis if placed 

 in a sunny position and well ted, will flower all Sum- 

 mer. Fuchias will stand a little shade and tliey require 

 stimulants to keep them flowering. 



We have a plant of Kalosaiitlnis cuccinca in flower just 

 at this time. It is a plant that is not seen very often 

 and yet, when in flower, it is one of the most showy. 

 It keeps in good condition when blooming for three 

 weeks. After it has finished flowering, we cut it back 

 about six inches above the pot and do not over water 

 until it breaks, which it does all over the old stem. After 

 it has started well, we repot it in a pot about two inches 

 larger, in equal parts of Osmunda fern root, fibery loam, 

 and sand and add a little sheep manure. It is potted 

 firmly and placed in a sunny position outdoors for the 

 Summer. Cuttings may he secured from the old flower 

 stems, which will soon root in sand. Cut them into 

 pieces about an inch and a half long. 



Another evergreen shrub flowering now is Mackiiyii 

 Bella with pale blue spotted flowers. It is a handsome 

 evergreen bush and to have it flower successfully, must 

 be subjected to a drying process during the Winter 

 months, when it should show signs of wilting before 

 being watered. It grows vigorously in a strong loam 

 from the time it finishes flowering until Fall, but it re- 

 quires shading throughout the Summer. .After Septem- 

 ber it stands full sunshine. 



Calanthus that is rooting well should be fed with 

 manure water^ and nothing is better than cow manure. 

 We use a good handful to a three gallon watering pot 

 once a week. The house they are growing in should 

 be kept rather close and humid with a little fire heat in 

 damp weather. 



Cattleyas which are making their growth will demand 

 plenty of water. We find that the best method is to 

 give them a thorough drenching and then allow them 

 to dry out well before repeating. They also respond to 

 soft coal soot water and a light liquid made of hen 

 manure. It should, however, be weak and done with a 

 careful hand. It is quite foolish to think that orchids 

 do not like stimulants ; for instance, ask the question : 

 What is the analysis of the compost they are potted in 

 and of the water they are watered with? Do they not 

 secure a great deal of decayed vegetable matter in their 

 native habitat, and manure from wnnged animals? 



Phakenopsis are growing nicely. Watch out for snails 

 which may be in the compost, for they soon destroy the 

 vounsT growths. .A little stinudant as advised for catt- 



' 1 1 • 1 



leyas we find they respond to, but it has to be applied 

 with care. Scale is somewhat troublesome if the spong- 

 ing of the leaves is neglected. 



Odontoglossums which have flowered and need re- 

 jxjtting are better ofl^ if one waits to do this until the 

 young growth appears. Water them thoroughly when- 

 ever they rec|uire it. Do not disturb them at the root 

 unless the compost is in a sour condition and there is 

 not room for the young growth to develop. The same 

 applies to Miltonias, except that they require an in- 

 termediate temperature. 



In the grape houses fruit will be rijiening in the earlier 

 houses. Give plenty of top and bottom air to develop 

 the bloom. The later houses will be setting, and some 

 of them will be ready for thinning out. It is essential 

 that the berries have plenty of room for development. 

 Too manv bunches should not be left on one vine. After 

 thinning out, an application of Clay's fertilizer or Thom- 

 son vine manure will assist in developing the fruit. Point 

 over the borders with a fork occasionally to .give the 

 roots a chance to breath air. 



A succession of melons should be kej)! up. Pinch side 

 growths so that they will not overcrowd. 



Lonlinue to tliink ahead, and try to improve on last 

 vear's methods. 



A BRIEF REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON 

 QUARANTINE 



(Continued jroin page 179) 

 Act. The rejiort made by the Congressional Conmiittee 

 when the act was passed is quoted in obvious supjxjrt of 

 this contention. 



When at the opening of the conference the legal ques- 

 tion thus raised w.-is introduced by Mr. AIcFarlantl, Sec- 

 retary Wallace, agreeing that it was not a matter for 

 discussion at a general meeting, also agreed that it ought 

 to be definitely settled, and that opportunity would be 

 given to have it reviewed at a conference at which both 

 sides could be present with counsel. Such a conference 

 was held on May 31 and the Solicitor of the Department 

 now has the matter under consideration. iJbviously if 

 the quarantine is found to be illegal there is no object in 

 working for modifications of its regulations until it and 

 they are brought into thorough accord with the law. 



On the other hand, pending the settlement of the legal 

 question the secretary has authorized, and the Federal 

 Horticultural Board has agreed to hold, conferences with 

 groups interested in specific modifications. There ap- 

 pears reason to believe that the reasonableness of the 

 demands for at least some of the recommendations made 

 can be proved to- the satisfaction of the Federal Horticul- 

 tural Board. The board having left for California im- 

 mediately after the conference, further discussion of 

 modifications will be delayed for a few weeks. 



This committee will keep you informed of important 

 developments as they occur, or of any need of further 

 active co-operation that may arise. On the whole it feels 

 that from the amateur standpoint tiie Washington con- 

 ference was a distinct success in that it — 



( 1 ) Gave all the facts full publicity and brought them 

 to the personal attention of the Secretary of .Agriculture; 



(2) Elicited acknowledgment by the Federal Horti- 

 cultural Board that certain of its rulings have been arbi- 

 trary and might suitably be subjected to examination : 



(3) Raised the fundamental question of the legality 

 of Quarantine 37, thus bringing about a definite study of 

 the situation : 



(4) Assured the discussion of such matters as the 

 admission of more kinds of bulbs and other plants, the 

 more general issuance of permits to amateurs and other 

 specific recommendations made on May 15 ; 



(5) Gave opportunity for official delegates from Eng- 

 land, Belgium and Holland to present admirable argu- 

 ments in behalf of a liro.-ider policy as regards 

 international horticultural trade and reciprocity in inter- 

 national control of plant i)ests and diseases. The calm 

 and clear statement of Air. W. G. Lobjoit, head of the 

 government service which protects England ade(|uately 

 again.st the introduction of plant diseases and insect pests 

 without any of the discriminations, annoyances and hard- 

 ships of the American i)ractice, was most im]>ressive. 



A^ery truly yours, I'".. 1.. D. Sicv.Mocu. 

 Secrelarv Committee on I lorticultural (Quarantine, 

 lune ^, 1922. 



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