November 16, 1912 



HOETTCULTUBE 



665 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



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Questlou* by our readers In line with any of the topics presented on this page will be cordially received and promptlj answered 

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



Asparagus plomosus 



Now is the time to give this valuable green careful 

 daily attention. A house where the temperature can be 

 easily held at about 65 degrees at night, in the coolest 

 weather, and a good, deep and richly manured compost 

 are the first essentials to successful asparagus culture. 

 Keep the house moist as when this is wanting luxuriant 

 growth is impossible. See that the young leading 

 growths are kept nicely wound around the strings. From 

 this out it is always well to let the surface of the soil 

 become fairly dry before giving water. Wlien doing it, 

 however, give them a good soaking. Give the surface a 

 frequent stirring to keep the soil open and sweet. As- 

 paragus plumosus is a greedy feeder, and additional 

 nourishment in some form must be given. From now 

 on there is nothing better than a good rich mulch, put on 

 from time to time. After the new year they can have 

 plenty of liquid manure. 



Carnations 



From now on but little syringing should be practiced. 

 It is well to remember in watering or syringing carna- 

 tions to do it as early in the morning as possible so that 

 the plants will not be wet at nightfall. Every plant 

 should be perfectly dried off by about four o'clock in the 

 afternoon. We are now lunning into shorter days which 

 makes the allowance of fresh air less possible, so take 

 advantage of every good day to give ventilation; this 

 will htlp to harden the plants before winter sets in. 

 The grower's great difliculty will come now when we 

 have so much of muggy cloud-darkened or rainy spells, 

 often lasting many days. It is then that firing should 

 be run more bri.sk, which will permit of more ventilation 

 to hold the atmospheric condition of the houses right. 

 Watering can be overdone as well as too little. Watch 

 the places that are over or close to the pipes. Where the 

 plants are well studded with buds you can alternate 

 every other time with weak manure water to help your 

 crop along. Fumigation should be practiced regularly. 



Begonia Gloire de Lorraine 



To have exceptionally fine stock of Begonia Lorraine 

 for next year you should start propagating now. There 

 is no doubt as to the superiority of early-propagated 

 stock. So now get busy. From now on you will have 

 steady bottom heat that can be depended upon to pro- 

 duce the right conditions for their rooting. Wlien se- 

 lecting material take well-matured leaves of a spotless 

 green from the most vigorous plants. Trim away the 

 stubby end of the leaf stalk, about half an inch below 

 the leaf and insert in the sand until the base of the leaf 

 is in close contact with the surface and see that they are 

 well finned in the sand. Keep up a steady liottom heat 

 of not less than 70 degrees with a somewhat close and 

 moderately humid atmosphere, but a muggy, stagnant 

 atmosphere is bound to result in a great loss of cuttings 

 by decaying. Every day they should have fresh air ad- 

 mitted. It is a good plan to have them covered with 



Mr. Farrell's next notes will be on the following: Care of Cypripedium Insigne: Chrysanthemum Stock; Cocos Weddelliana 

 ing Boxes and Vases for Winter Effect; Herbaceous Border, etc.; Lily of the Valley. 



sashes while you are ventilating the house to ward off 

 draughts or excessive changes in the temperature. Ex- 

 clude sunshine and give them frequent sprinklings and 

 they should root in about eight or nine weeks 



Evergreens in Pots for Winter Use 

 Every year there is more demand for evergreens in 

 pots or tubs. On the approach of winter the florists of 

 all large cities are called upon to have something to 

 break the bareness of the entrances to hotels, stores and 

 d^'ellings. Now is the proper time to get a good lot of 

 these potted up and they can be set under cover outside 

 for some time to come, which will help to keep the foli- 

 age in better color and give the plants time to make some 

 roots before they are sold. Make an assortment of the 

 many varieties of retinosporas, arbor vitaes, junipers, 

 yews, spruces, etc. These should be available in all 

 sizes for pots or tubs. Wlien plants are wanted for in- 

 side or where freezing will be very slight, Euonynuis ja- 

 ponica and its varieties will make excellent plants to 

 break the monotony of so many conifers. Where you 

 want trailing evergi-eens, Euonymus radicans and Eng- 

 lish ivy can be used to good effect. 



Freesias for Christmas 



To have these plants in flower for Christmas they 

 should be placed where they can have a temperature of 

 about 60 degrees at night. Place them well up to the 

 glass so that they will not "draw" and become weak. 

 Do not overlook watering, as they will require a copious 

 supply from this out. Tliey will appreciate liquid 

 manure now and up to when the flowers show color, about 

 once a week. They should be far enough advanced by 

 this time to demand some support; this should not be 

 overlooked. 



Paper White Narcissi 



The earliest planted batch of these narcissi that have 

 developed plenty of roots should be given a house where 

 tliey can have all the light and sun that will be going. 

 For them to do well you should give them a place rather 

 high up on a bench or shelf where they can be near the 

 glass. Maintain a steady temperature of from 50 to 55 

 degrees at night, with a rise of from 10 to 15 degrees 

 liigher with sun heat. See that they have abundant ven- 

 tilation to make good substance and strong stems, and 

 give attention to the matter of watering, as these bulbs 

 require plenty of water at the roots. They take about 

 seven to eight weeks to be nicely in flower. 



Stevias 



Keep these plants as cool as possible. Any house that 

 is just clear of frost will do for stevias. You can place 

 a batch in a little more heat as needed, thereby making 

 more of a succession. During November there is always 

 a quantity of flowers in season so make plans to keep 

 them back as far as possible for a little later on when 

 there will be fewer flowers on the market. Make it a 

 point to keep them supphed with plenty of water at the 

 roots. 



FllK 



