August 11, 1917 



HORTICULTURE 



143 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLCH^ISTS^ STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



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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. Farrell. Such commnuicatlons sbonld invariably be addressed to the otHce of HORTICDLTDKB. 



'*if T»ln smr t*U« w* •n^ht t« blam* th« oaitor*, m»t tl>« ••U." — Pope. 



Adiantums 



If the stock shows deterioration rather thau partial 

 exhaustion, enfeebled by the death-dealing effects of 

 fungiis and red-spider, throw it out. Thoroughly cleaj 

 and cleanse the bench, prepare new soil, more of a turf- 

 like, coarsely broken up gravelly character than con- 

 taining the usual over-measuring of leaf-mold, drain 

 the bench well, do not firm the soil any more than 

 is unavoidable in planting, set out clean, strong plants 

 from three-inch pots, water sparingly but spray often; 

 keep the house ventilated but guard against sli'ong cur- 

 rents of cold air and rather lessen than increase the 

 density xif the shading. Unless benched adiantums 

 euneatum or Croweanum shows renewed strength in 

 unmistakable fonn, its being carried over for another 

 year as against replanting with new, vigorous stock 

 would not win out for the growers. Bench gi'own 

 maiden hair fenis need a rest after a heavy cut of 

 fronds. That is, keep it on the dry side until tire young 

 fronds begin to show. 



Care of Smilax 



See that the smilax gets plenty of ventilation and a 

 good syringing on all bright days. Provide strings as 

 soon as the plants are willing to climb and do not wait 

 until they become intergrown with one another. When 

 they are growing well give a mulch of well-rotted cow 

 manure. Water first around the ball until they begin 

 to fill the soil with roots after which the whole bed can 

 be soaked. Avoid careless watering which usually 

 leaves the surface wet while the under soil remains dry. 

 While smilax likes moisture it will not stand too much 

 of it, yellow leaves and sickly growth often resulting. 

 An overmoist condition is likely when the beds are pre- 

 pared on the ground. The early planted beds will be 

 making good headway by this time so see that they 

 have some feeding. 



Easter Lilies 



If you intend to use Ldlium giganteum, you should 

 get the bulbs to the potting bench as soon as possible 

 after their arrival in this country. You will be able to 

 do so, if your order is placed in good time. On the 

 other hand, if the ordering is put off until September 

 or October you run tlie chance of receiving the bulbs 

 at a time wlien the other fellow has some nice roots 

 started on his. Many growoj-s jilaced tlieir orders for 

 tlie bulbs long ago, and if more would do this it would 

 be better all around, especially iliis year. It is a good 

 plan to get the soil into sha|>o now. llio following 

 compost will do ; fibrous loam three parts, well rotten 

 cow manure one part, with a good sprinkling of bone 

 and wood ashes. See that ymi liave plenty of pots on 

 hand. Those who grow sonic of the other type of 

 lilies tor mid-winter flowering should have them in by 

 this time. 



Geraniums 



If cuttings are taken early in August the cut back 

 stems will make a lot of lateral growth which in early 

 September will give an abundance of the very best of 

 cuttings which with cooler weather wiU root with ease, 

 and these cut back plants will be in excellent order to 

 lift and put in pots or plant on a bench for winter 

 propagation. The last week of July we have found to 

 l:>e a good time to take off the first batch of cuttings, in 

 the garden or field. Three or four joints of the lead- 

 ing shoots make ideal cuttings. Never rob a cutting of 

 all its foliage, nor leave on too many leaves. After the 

 one good thorough watering, when water is needed 

 again will depend on how much sim they receive and 

 on the weather, Init don't water again until they are 

 decidedly dry. This season has not been very good 

 with us for stock plants outside. Get every cutting 

 you can in now. 



Sweet Peas for Winter 



If the space on the benches is not ready sow in 4- 

 inch or 5-inch pots, and then plant in benches after 

 three or four weeks, but be very careful with the water- 

 ing, as over-di-y or pot-bound plants will never produce 

 good flowers. Plant either in the benches, where they 

 will gTOW, or in pots. After the plants of the white 

 seeded start to gi'ow, which will be in two to three days, 

 give them some water, and in a few days more they 

 can be watered Just as heavily as black-seeded ones. 

 Select the highest light houses "for sweet peas Fill the 

 benches, or well-drained solid beds, with good compost 

 about three parts sod and one part old horse manure. 

 "Wliite-seeded sweet peas must be started in sand, as 

 they seldom germinate if sown directly in soil. As 

 soon as sown all the air possible should be allowed. 

 Ventilation is one of the most important points in 

 growing sweet peas successfully. Wlien the plants 

 refch a height of 6 inches they should be given sup- 

 port. The best method is to stretch one wire on bot- 

 tom and another about 8 feet above that and connect 

 with strings from time to time. 



Reminders 



Finish any repotting of palms that may be neces- 

 sary without further delay. 



Keep cineraria and calceolaria 'seedlings very cool 

 and allow plenty of night air. 



Get the young rubber plants in shape for Christmas 

 trade, repotting any that need it. 



Sow cinerarias and herbaceous calceolarias for 

 spring flowering in a cool house or frame. 



The young carnations must be frequently looked 

 over and the .shoots pinched where they show a disposi- 

 tion to run up to flower. 



Next Week:— Chrysanthemums; Primulas; Florists' Greens; Pulms; Polnsettias; Reminders. 



