April 1, 1916 



HOETICULTUEE 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS^ STOCK 



COMDCCTED 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 communications should Invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTDRB. 



"It vain oar toil, we ouKbt to blame the cnltnre, not the soU." — Pope. 



Azaleas 



Easter is so late this year it will be a hard task to keep 

 these plants back in order to have them in good condi- 

 tion three or four days before Easter. There will be 

 little need of hastening azaleas for the great spring holi- 

 day, but should there be some plants showing merely a 

 swelling of buds, then an increase in fire heat and an ex- 

 posure to the brightest sunshine will likely bring them 

 out in time. A very cool and shaded place, on the other 

 hand, must be found for those too far advanced. To hold 

 back the most forward ones place in darkened and very 

 cool quarters, but azaleas must have water in sufficiency 

 whicli may mean somewhat less for those in a cool place 

 than those under regular forcing, but always enough to 

 prevent any drying out at the roots. Ten days before 

 Easter it will be just right for azaleas to be about half 

 way out in bloom. 



Antirrhinums 



Where antirrhinums are raised somewhat extensively, 

 it is best to always have seedlings on hand as a source 

 for annual propagation. The blooms of the seedlings are 

 never quite so uniform in color as those raised by cut- 

 tings. The second growth coming in the form of sturdy 

 shoots from the base of the plant makes the best cuttings 

 that will produce long, large flowering spikes. It is time 

 now to start stock for next winter's crop of flowers. The 

 seeds of the tall and most improved kinds in separate 

 colors — white, pink, red and yellow — are good for indoor 

 bench culture. They are a very satisfactory flower for 

 the florist to grow as they are persistent bloomers and 

 have excellent lasting qualities. They can be grown in 

 pots with frequent shifting during the summer. 



Easter Preparations 



All flowering Easter stock will now be pot bound and 

 will need copious watering especially hydrangeas, 

 spiraeas and rambler roses. Narcissi and tulips which 

 are in flats can be placed in pans now. Select the short 

 and stocky ones and do it just before the flowers open, 

 Treat hyacinths the same way. Pansies and double 

 daisies that are coming into flower can be made up in 

 or baskets. Such floworing shnibs as lilac, genista. 



]nins 



viburnum, deutzia, acacia, azalea and double-flowering ,ur,u. 

 cherries, plums and peaches should now be showing ^' 



flower and would be better to be opened in a cooler house ^^^^ ^n 

 for the gradual hardening off of such stock. Some caU '^^noa 

 las, cyclamens, begonias, stocks, geraniums, mignonette, 

 primulas and many others can now be worked up for 

 Easter trade. The most shapely plants and those that 

 are sure to be in bloom, should be set aside. 



Perennial Border 



To renew perennial border, as the ground dries up, re- 

 move the covering and look over the plants as the winter 

 sometimes does considerable injury. It is a good plan to 

 replant every fifth or sixth year, digging up all the 

 plants and giving the soil a liberal amount of cow ma- 

 nure and bone. A good dressing of well-rotted manure 

 thoroughly incorporated with the soil is absolutely es- 

 ential. Before commencing to plant a border, it is well 

 to construct tables or make a list of the material, 

 specifying respective times of flowering, colors and alti- 

 tudes so as to have a good arrangement. 



Swainsonas 



Plants that have been growing thrifty wiU have a lot 

 of material fit for propagation. The best cuttings are 

 those selected out of the axil formed by the leaf and 

 main stem. These can just be pulled out sideways and 

 will not need any trimming. Place in a moderately warm 

 propagating bench and by keeping them shaded and wa- 

 tered for about twelve to fifteen days they will root nice- 

 ly, after which they can be potted into 2^-inch pots, us- 

 ing a compost of fibrous soil three parts, leaf mold and 

 well rotted cow manure one part each. Keep shaded for 

 a few days when they should have all the sun and light 

 possible. These will make fine plants by Decoration 

 Day as they are suitable for cemetery planting. Give 

 them a temperature of from 55 to 60 degrees at night. 



Astilbe for Memorial Day 



Where the young growths are a couple of inches high 

 by this time they will be all right for Memorial Day. 

 They will stand manure water twice a week which, will 

 improve the bloom and foliage. When they are full out 



give some shade. 



Next Week :— Crotons ; Dieffcnhachias ; Easter Preparations ; Gloxinias ; Palms from Seed ; Starting Cobaea scandena. 



A \A/orcl -to "tl-i 



rad 



In the advertising pages of this number you will liud the Spring Trade Offerings of the Leading Dealers. 

 These firms are in business to sujiply you and are worthy of the support which they ask for in these announce- 

 ments. The special stock they offer is the best ever placed before the trade. Read what they have to 

 say and then get busy with them as to prices and quantity. 



Good 



esiin 



