AiigiiEt 31. lfl]2 



HORTICULTURE 



301 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS^ STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



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9>f.^a^iAiJ/ 



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

 by Mr. Farrell. Such communications should invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURH. 



LIBRAB* 



Care of Summer Bulbous Plants 



Gloxinias, tuberous-rooted begonias, achimenes, ges- 

 neras, etc.. will soon be passing out of flower. All these 

 tuberous plants will need to be gradually dried ofiE, by 

 withholding water a little more each time until they are 

 tlioronghly ripened up. When they are allowed to dry 

 off too suddenly the life is taken out of them and they 

 never give as good results as those that get especial at- 

 tention. A good place to put those that are in pots for 

 the present is in a cold frame or pit where they can have 

 the sash on and be dried off gradually. They can stay 

 here until they are thoroughly ripened. Before danger of 

 frost arrives they can be removed to a dry shed or cellar 

 and the pots laid on their sides. It is a good plan later 

 on when you get time to shake out the tubers and label 

 them and store in boxes in a dry place where the tem- 

 perature is about 50 degrees. 



Feeding Chrysanthemums 



It makes no difference how rich the soil was when the 

 henehes were filled ; they always need feeding from the 

 time the buds make their appearance, and up until they 

 begin to show color, when all stimiilants should cease. 

 There is no better fertilizing element than liquid cow or 

 sheep manure. Where your stock is in good condition 

 you can make up some liquid by placing in a barrel of 

 from 45 to 48 gallons of water a half a bushel of cow 

 manure, or, if sheep manure, half the quantity will be 

 enough. Let it stand for a day or two so the water will 

 be well impregnated before being applied. It is better 

 for the average grower to start with one application a 

 week and then increase it to twice a week. Where liquid 

 manure is used with prudent care you will find a decided 

 difference between the size and color of flowers where it 

 is used and where it is not. It also gives that black 

 green foliage and heavy stem which goes vnth an ideal 

 tloM'er. 



Housing Decorative Plants 



All tender stuff used outside for decoration or for 

 tropical effect in bedding should within the next ten 

 days be removed to their winter quarters so as not to 

 let any frost reach them. Those that are planted out in 

 beds or borders should be very carefully lifted and given 

 the smallest sized pots that will hold them comfortably. 

 Nothing is gained by putting them in too big pots as 

 root action will be very slow from this out and when the 

 sun begins to have power again — say in February or 

 March — you can shift into larger pots. All these newly 

 potted plants will need three or four sprayings overhead 

 each day, until they become re-established. Give enough 

 of water at the roots to keep the soil moist, and they 



soon will start and make new roots. All decorative 

 stock should have a thorough cleaning and sponging, fol- 

 lowed by a good syringing which will be of great ben- 

 efit in cleaning them of bud and scale. 



Lifting Berried Solanums 



Berried solanums should be lifted and potted now. 

 Give the larger plants a 6-inch pot; a 5-inch pot will do^ 

 for the ordinary run. Mix up a compost of three 

 parts fibrous loam, to one of well decayed cow manure, 

 and see that each pot has good drainage. Work the com- 

 post in and around the roots well so it will be firm when 

 finished. Place them on a bench and give temporary 

 shade for about a week, when they will stand full sun. 

 Give them frequent sprayings overhead and keep them 

 moist at the roots and they will quickly become estab- 

 lished. 



Perennial Border 



Where you wish to make a show border there is no 

 better time than the next three weeks. Fine perennials 

 may be grown in almost any soil and position, but where 

 the highest and lasting qualities are desii-ed it will be- 

 necessary to select an open, sunny position, sheltered 

 from the north winds, and clear of all roots of trees and 

 shrubs. As these plants are to remain for some time 

 undisturbed, make the ground loose to a depth of two- 

 feet at least. A satisfactory way is to throw off the 

 surface soil and then dig over the subsoil good and deep 

 and mix with plenty of rotten manure, bone and wood 

 ashes. Where the drainage is imperfect, it must be pro- 

 vided with under-drainage to a suitable depth. When 

 throwing back the top soil add well rotted manure, bone 

 and wood ashes, and put in a finely pulverized condition. 

 "\\^lile it is possible to plant these perennials quite late 

 in the fall, the earlier they can be planted the better, as it 

 gives the young plants time to become established before 

 hard freezing weather. They should be planted far 

 enough apart so that when full grown they will not 

 overcrowd one another. Use Judgment when planting so 

 as to blend colors throughout. Too great a mixture of 

 colors often gives a tangled and untidy effect. By 

 selecting different perennials you can maintain a suc- 

 cession of flowering the whole season until frost. 



Stevia 



K"ow is the time to lift stevias that are planted out. 

 (Jreat care should be used in handling as they are very 

 brittle. Use a good rich soil to pot them in. When 

 they are potted up stand them where they can have 

 certain protection from frost. They should have some 

 shade for a few days and be sprayed overhead two or 

 three times a day until they take root. Keep as cool as 

 possible. 



Mr. Farrell's next notes will be on the following: Bouvardias; Cyclamen for the Holidays: Crimson Ramblers; Hydrangea!!: Laelia 



niioeps; Making a New Peony Plantation. 



