January 2, 1915 



HOKTICULTUEE 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS^ STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



^■^^**>'%.9>^.T-a^A.cU 



Questions by our readers in line witli 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 HORTICULTURE. 



*'If Tain our toil, we ought to blame the culture, not the soil." — Popf. 



Care of Antirrhinums 



Antirrhinums that were planted early in the season 

 and have ^rown to be fine bushy plants with lots of 

 bloom and buds showing will now want some feeding. 

 There is nothing better for this than a top dressing of 

 sheep manure, using a mulch of sheep manure and loam 

 in equal parts. 'When applying these give the surface 

 of the beds a coat of fine bone, but not heavy. This 

 can be followed by the mulch, which should be placed 

 about a quarter of an inch thick all over- the beds. These 

 light mulches applied about once a month will be better 

 appreciated by the plants than heavy ones. Do not try 

 to force these plants with too much heat. They throw 

 better and finer spikes when given a temperature of 

 from 48 to 50 at night, and 15 to 20 degrees higher 

 with sunshine. 



Ferns 



Now when we are obliged to have a good deal of fire 

 heat the ferns will need plenty of moisture to ward off 

 dry air. Damp down the house three times a day and 

 it will pay in the end. Be careful that no plants get 

 a chance to dry out. During good weather give venti- 

 lation even if it is only for a short time. All ferns 

 that are well pot bound will do better when given some 

 stimulant in the way of weak liquid manure once or 

 twice a week. Give abundant light and do not place on 

 a heavy shade too soon. Of course, when the sun be- 

 comes strong, you will liave to shade to keep them from 

 losing their color. 



Rambler Roses 



Do not be too long in starting rambler roses intended 

 for Easter. They should be brought into a little heat 

 by the first week in Januai-y, which will give time to 

 have them right for that date. Give the plants a clean 

 up and cirt out any dead or weak growths. To have 

 ramblers on time for Easter they should be allowed ten 

 weeks. The temperature at first should not be higher than 

 50 degrees at night until the roots begin to make some 

 headway. Every morning give a good .syringing to 

 thoroughly dampen the wood. When they have made 

 some top growth the temperature can be raised to 55 

 degrees and in two or three weeks more to fiO degrees. 

 Great care in the matter of ventilation will be necessary 

 so as to avoid mildew. Give careful attention to fumi- 

 gation to keep down tbe green fly wliich is bound to 

 make its a|ipearaiice if not guarrlcd against. Keep the 

 atmos]ihere moderately humid all the time. Give them 



a place wliere they can have full sun for it is necessary 

 for the perfect development of these roses in every way. 



Keep Propagating 



Propagation to the fullest extent from now on and 

 for months to come will hold the growers interest and 

 claim his unflagging attention. Look up all the stock 

 plants. Some of them may be in undesirable quarters. 

 These must have light, sun and air in order to furnish 

 good cuttings. Let them have what they need and en- 

 courage the plants in every possible way to do their best. 

 Besides geraniums and carnations, of which many thou- 

 sands are already in the sand, there are numerous other 

 good things, most important to the all-around plant 

 grower, that should now be propagated, if good, fair- 

 sized stock for spring trade is to be the issue. Fore- 

 most to be started are salvias, liegonias, lemon verlx-nas. 

 fuchsias, double petunias, lantanas, heliotroiies and 

 fancy scented and ivy-leaved geraniums. Any such 

 things as Impatiens Sultani and hybrids, achyranthes, 

 coleus, etc., can be propagated later, but wliere you are 

 short of stock start now. 



Tuberous Rooted Begonias 



Very nearly ever florist can use some of these fine 

 flowering ])lants to advantage. They are w'ell adapted 

 for a good many summer and fall decorations and also 

 show up well in the show house. It is best to sow the 

 seed in pans. Mix u]> a light compost of loam, leaf mold 

 and sand in equal parts, give ample drainage to keep 

 the compost sweet, fill the pans to within half an inch 

 of the top and press firmly. On top of this plaee a 

 little finelv sifted compost, press moderately firm, give 

 a good soaking of water, let them stand until they have 

 drained and then sow the seed evenly all over the sur- 

 face and press in. There is no need of covering the seed. 

 Cover these pans with a pane of glass and keep shaded 

 until they start to come up when they should have full 

 sun. Give the pans a position where they can have a 

 temperature of about 60 at night. 



Propagate Lobelia Kathleen Mallard 



In order to work uj) a fine lot of this lobelia ]iropa- 

 satina,- should start now. When they arc rooted they 

 can be placed in flats or potted. Give them a rich 

 compost; that used for roses or carnations will do all 

 ridit. Keep well up to the glass and in a light house. 

 Tiiey do not like too much heat. A tomiierature of from 

 Ah to 50 ilesrees at night will hold them in good growth. 



Next Week:— Care of Amaryllis; Gloxinias; Orchids: Vinnns: 



I'lisobl Azaleas. 



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