April 15, 1916 



HOETICULTURE 



521 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



CONDUCTED BT 



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juesUons by our readers in line with any of the topics presented on this page will be cordially received and promptly ansi 

 by Mr. Farrell. Such communications should Invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTDRB. 

 "If vain oar toll, we oufflit to blame the cnltore, not the soil." — Pope. 



Asparagus plumosus 



When an abundance of iifw growth starts up it will 

 be desirable to give the surface a sprinkling of bone 

 meal and wood ashes, and then a mulch of cow manure 

 and soil in equal parts put on an inch or two deep. 

 AVhen they have made a fairly good growth they should 

 be given liquid manure once or twice a week during the 

 summer, wliich helps toi keeji the soil from becoming ex- 

 hausted. Bench-growing Asparagus plumosus that has 

 been pretty well cut down should be kept on the diy 

 side, by diminishing the quantity' of water somewhat but 

 not to dry the soil clear through. This will allow the 

 plants to make a fresh start, and gain strength by giving 

 them a partial rest of three of four weeks. Damp down 

 two or three times a day and on all suitable occasions 

 ventilate freely. Keep them stmng up and go over 

 them often and wind the new growth around the strings. 



Callas 



Calla.s will n(>ed to be fumigated once a week from 

 this out as flies and thrips will now increase very fast. 

 The one thing to be borne in mind is to ventilate when- 

 ever possible. Keep the temperature up to at least 60 

 degrees at night. Give plenty of water at the roots and 

 keep up a vigorous syringing everj' day to keep the 

 plants clean of thrips and red spider. Callas should now 

 be generously fed not only with liquid manure, but good 

 top dressing of a rich mulch on all those grown in 

 benches. 



Cocos Weddelliana 



The one imperative thing is, in giving ventilation, to 

 avoid all cold draughts from striking these palms. The 

 temperature of the house should run from 65 to 70 de- 

 grees at night, and in the day-time it can run up to 78 

 or 80. These plants reqvure plenty of atmospheric 

 moisture. Where such accommodation is possible they 

 should have at least a bench for their exclusive oc- 

 cupancy and still better a house for themselves. Wlien 

 wa.tering is done without great care the plants will soon 

 be showing yellowish foliage which makes them stand 

 almost stationary for weeks and even if they finally re- 

 sume a vigorous growth they rarely become a profitable 

 plant. Considerable care will have to be exercised in 

 watering from this out. They like a nice even amount 

 of moisture at the roots. 



Ferns 



Ferns will now need lots of water at the roots. If they 

 arc in small pots they should be plunged in sifted coal 

 ashes which will hold the moisture and prevent their dry- 

 ing out. Large ferns that are pot-bound can be assist- 

 ed by moderate doses of liquid manure once a week. Shad- 

 ing should now be increased but not too heavy — just 

 enough to prevent burning or taking the coloring out 

 of the foliage. The general run of ferns will do well 



in about 60 degrees at night. Dampen down two or 

 three times a day, and see that they have plenty of air. 

 Give ventilation with great care so as not to cause cold 

 drafts. Ferns in flats should be kept up near the glass 

 and when they become crowded they should be removed 

 to other flats or potted up. 



1917 Ramblers 



To have fine Kamljlers for next Easter get some one- 

 year-old stock and pot them into 6 or 7-inch pots now. 

 Use fibrous soil three parts, and one part well-decayed 

 cow manure, adding about a 5-inch potful of bone meal 

 to a wheelbarrow load .of the mixture. Pot firmly and 

 give them a good watering so that the whole soil will 

 be made moist. They can be headed back quite hard, 

 leaving 6 or 7 good eyes. Give tliem a bench in the cool- 

 est house where they can havei plenty of light and ven- 

 tilation. Wlien they have made enough growth to in- 

 dicate the strongest canes leave five or six of the best. 

 All the other ones should be rubbed off. When the 

 growth becomes high enough give wire stakes for suj)- 

 port. On all good days see that they get a syringing, 

 for if this is neglected red spider will very soon as- 

 sert itself. Keep them under glass until July, during 

 which time they will want careful attention with regard 

 to w\itering, syringing, ventilating and fumigation. 



Seedlings 



To promote healthy growth these will need careful 

 ventilating, watering and spraying, always guarding 

 against any excess. When seedlings show the character 

 leaf they should be transplanted as soon after as pos- 

 sible. 



Nc.\t Week :— r.PKiinin (JIdin- (!,■ Lorraiiip: licililini.' I'lniits: 

 Ii.ilili.is : Mrinciri.il Dn.v I.ilirs: iircliids; Aftir K;istiT. 





Kerria Japonica as a Pot Plant 



Kerria japonica is not gi'own as a pot plant nearly as 

 much as it should be. Soft-wood cuttings rooted June- 

 Jnly and potted three in 5-inch or five in 6-inch pots 

 will make nice plants for flowering the following March- 

 A])ril. After potting they should be kept close in cold 

 frames until established, gradually hardened ofi' and 

 plunged out doors until hard fix>st. then kept in cold 

 frames or cellar until required for forcing. They may 

 be slowlv forced aiiv time after Febniarv 1. 



Vm- Hills. .Y. .J. 



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\ArioJr 



Mr. Wyatt enclosed a spray of flowers wliich liad been 

 out nearly two weeks. He stated that a 5 in. pot will 

 carry seven or eight like it and several smaller ones. Un- 

 like most deciduous flowering shrubs the leaves open with 

 the flowers which adds greatly to its beauty. The flowers 

 seem a more brilliant yellow than those grown in the open 

 and the effect with the light green foliage, in graceful 

 sprays is simply charming. — Kd. 



