232 



HORTICULTURE 



September 13, 1919 



HORTICULTURE 



Established by William J. Stewart In 1804 



VOL. XXX 



SEPTEMBER 13, 1919 



NO. 11 



FUBLJ8HED WEEKLY BY 



HORTICULTURE PUBLISHING COMPANY 

 78 Devonshire Street, Boston, Mass. 



EDWARD I. FARRINGTON, Editor. 

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Sintered as second-class matter December 8, 1904, at the Post Offlta 

 at Boston, Mass., under the Act of Cong-reae of March 3, 1879. 



It is a matter of regret that the impor- 

 As to bulbs tation of Roman hyacinth bulbs has been 

 held up by French inspectors. Quite 

 obviously these inspectors could take no other action 

 when they considered the nature of the plant quarantine 

 imposed by the Federal Horticultural Board of this 

 country. And of course this board passes the buck to 

 the French inspectors, so that American importers have 

 no loophole offered them through which Roman hya- 

 cinths can come in. So far as appears, the fungus 

 troubles which have been found to affect the hyacinth 

 bulbs are practically innocuous. It is stated that they 

 axe not transmitted from one bulb to another and do 

 but little damage. This slimy fungus has appeared on 

 Roman hyacinth bulbs for many years but has not been 

 regarded as anything to worry about. It is possible, but 

 not probable, that something wholly new has been dis- 

 covered by the French inspectors. As the matter stands, 

 however, gardeners and others who have depended upon 

 hyacinths for forcing must return to other plants. 

 There is likely to be a fairly good supply of tulips of 

 the more common sorts, the rarer varieties being largely 

 omitted from importers' lists. English buyers are de- 

 cidedly aggrieved at what they call a rather underhanded 

 action of French bulb growers. It is charged that these 

 growers represented at the first of the season that bulbs 

 were very scarce because of short crops, with the result 

 that prices were boosted to unheard of elevations. Then 

 later these growers made abundant offerings. It is also 

 claimed that they have sold freely to retailers, to the 

 detriment of wholesale houses and importers. Unques- 

 tionably echoes of this controversy will be heard in 

 the American trade. 



There seems to be no lack of Paper-whites and the 

 Chinese narcissi. It is expected that there will be a 

 big sale of these bulbs this year and that the demand 

 among amateurs will be strong, owing to the scarcity and 

 high price of other plants. The Paper-white is a bulb 



which run bo safely exploited to a greater extent than in 

 the past. It seems to be the unanimous statement of 

 importers and buyers thai Japanese bulb- are very hard 

 to secure in greal numbers and that prices will be high. 

 Ii is a question, indeed, whether lily prices will not be 

 almost prohibitive. -Many of the dealers are already 

 saying that 1hc\ cannot hope to sell lilies at an extrav- 

 agantly high price and will not try. Lilies are used 

 largely for church purposes and something else can be 

 substituted. 



Some l'ormosums are coming in and other shipments 

 are expected soon. It is understood that the quality h 

 nothing to brag of. Bermuda lilies are here, and while 

 the supply is not large, the quality seems to be excellent. 

 Indications are that a great many eallas will be grown 

 this season. The yellow Elliottiana is growing in favor 

 and seems likely to become a popular florists' plant. 

 This lily makes a very good cut flower and has less of the 

 funereal suggestion than the white calla. The Regal 

 lily will be forced to some extent. The possibilities of 

 this lily are not yet realized. It will make a good Easter 

 flower and when forcing can be started early, flowers can 

 be had at Christmas. This lily will sell well as a potted 

 plant, and the demand for cut blossoms will grow as it 

 becomes better known. The stock in this country is 

 constantly being increased and doubtless will soon be 

 offered at so low a price that the bulb can be made free 

 use of. There will be plenty of gladioli for forcing, and 

 as freesias are in fair supply, bulbous stock will not be 

 lacking all through the season. 



It is almost too much to expect that 

 Botanic garden's the bill introduced by Senator Moses 

 future of New Hampshire, providing for the 



extension and beautification of the 

 National Botanic Garden at Washington, will be acted 

 upon very soon. What with the treaty, the high cost 

 of living, labor difficulties, and a host of other pressing 

 matters, Congress is not likely to have much time in the 

 near future to devote to aesthetic matters, however mer- 

 itorious they may be. Nevertheless, the time is cer- 

 tainly coming when Congress will take some action look- 

 ing to the improvement of this garden. The fact is that 

 many, congressmen have long felt that the garden was 

 not a thing to be very proud of in its present condition. 

 There is every reason to believe, therefore, that when 

 action is taken it will be favorable to a general improve- 

 ment scheme which shall include taking in additional 

 park areas and other land west and south of the present 

 site. There is plenty of such land available and when 

 it is united with the Botanic Garden, there will be am- 

 ple opportunity for laying out an institution which shall 

 be a credit to the national capital and excite the admira- 

 tion of the thousands of visitors who will necessarily see 

 it. Horticulturists and florists the country over have 

 long recognized the desirability of making the changes 

 under discussion and it is a pleasure to learn that mem- 

 bers of Congress are at last taking the same viewpoint. 

 The New Hampshire senator is to be congratulated upon 

 his initiatiw and good judgment. 



