January 10, 1914 



HORTICULTURE 



37 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



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

 by Mr. Farrell. Such communications sbould Invariably be addressed to tbe office of HORTICULTURE. 



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 lEW Yi 



Chrysanthemums 



Good fli'Muvs ile|jciid oil ail uarly start, esjjecially in 

 the case of dwarf, slow growing varieties. It is not at 

 all unusual for a new thing to be condemned the first 

 year because the buyer has propagated it late and to the 

 utmost limit, and the plants have not had a chance to 

 prove themselves. Stock plants should be brought up 

 to the light at once, even if you have to throw something 

 else out to do so. Plants cannot be expected to throw 

 healthy cuttings if they are hidden away from the sun- 

 light. Select only the best cuttings for use. Any that 

 have become too long and are throwing a bud should be 

 discarded. As soon as the cuttings have roots half an 

 inch or so in length get them out right away and pot 

 into soil. Many cuttings are permanently weakened by 

 being, left in the sand and allowed to make a weak, at- 

 tenuated growth and long, spindly roots. If you have a 

 regular propagating house facing north the cuttings 

 will need little attention at this season of the year, after 

 being watered in, Ijut if you are propagating in a comer 

 of one of your cut flower houses provision must be made 

 to keep sun and drafts away so tliat tbe cuttings will not 

 wilt and lose their vitality. 



Fibrous-rooted Begonias 



It is always better to sow any of these ■ fibrous-rooted 

 begonias early as they take quite some time to grow into 

 saleable plants. They can be sown in pans that have 

 been well drained, in new loam and leaf mold in equal 

 parts with a fair dash of sand. Fill the pans to within 

 half an inch of the top and on this place a little finely 

 sifted compost and press moderately firm and water. 

 When they have drained, sow the seed evenly over the 

 surface. They do not need to be covered. Place glass 

 and sheets of paper over the pans until the seedlings 

 germinate. Then the pans can be placed in a house 

 where they can have a temperature of about 60 degrees 

 at night and they will soon grow into a nice size to pot 

 into 2 or 2J inch pots. The following are all good 

 varieties to grow, Erfordii, Vernon in its several col- 

 ors. Snow Queen, and semperflorens rosea. Fairy 

 Queen and others, which are becoming increasingly 

 ])opular as bedding plants. 



Orchids 



Give care and attention to Ccelogyne crista ta from this 

 out. Do not keep it in a too warm house. A temper- 

 ature of about ."iO tn .53 degrees at night will give flow- 

 ers of a better shbstance than when they are forced bjf 

 too much heat. Give ventilation as often as the outside 

 condition will permit and keep the compost in a nice 

 moist state by giving water whenever they show dryness. 

 These orchids are very free flowering and make very 

 popular pot plants. Grown cool they can be had in 

 bloom for the Easter trade. 



In order to have Cattleya Schroederae, which is de- 

 servedly called the Easter cattleya. in good flower for 

 that date they will want a temperature of from 55 to 



GO degrees during the night, with a rise to 65 to 70 deBOTANICA 

 grees with sunshine. On cloudy days about 60 degrees oarimj.n, 

 will do. Keep the air pure by timely ventilation and 

 use care in watering at all times. 

 Primulas 

 The present is a suitable time to make a sowing of 

 primula seed. Of course it is possible to make sowing 

 several months hence and have plants of flowering size 

 for the holidays, but the seeds germinate decidedly bet- 

 ter at this season, and really strong plants are only to 

 be had by starting early. It is always good policy to 

 purchase seeds of a first-class strain. There are now 

 (juite a variety of separate colors obtainable, but pink, 

 bright rose and crimson sell the best. Use a light com- 

 post consisting chiefly of leaf-mold, with plenty of fine 

 sand and powdered charcoal. Large shallow pans are 

 the best to sow the seed in. Drain the pans well, cover 

 the seeds lightly and keep protected from sun and air 

 until they germinate. Careful watering is essential. 

 Place a piece of glass over the pans as it helps to keep 

 ihe moisture better, and shade from the sun until the 

 young seedlings begin to appear when they should be 

 placed well up to the glass in a house where the tem- 

 jierature runs from 45 to 50 degrees. 

 Rambler Roses 

 All Ramblers intended for Easter should be placed 

 in a cool house; one that runs about 45 degrees at night 

 will do fine. After about two weeks you can raise them 

 to 60 degrees and higher with sunshine Everj morn- 

 ing give a good syringing so as to thoroughly dampen 

 the wood. Wlien they are encouraged to break and 

 make some top growth the temperature can be raised 

 to 55 degrees and in two or three weeks more to 60 de- 

 grees. Give them a place where they can have full sun 

 for it is necessary for the perfect development of these 

 roses in every way. Let the plants stand so that they 

 will not be crowded, and they will be much more saleable 

 at Easter. When they have made good top-growth and 

 root action they sliould have liquid stimulants once in 

 three or four days until the flowers are opening, when 

 feeding should be discontinued, as it only has a tendency 

 to take the color out of the flowers. Great care in the 

 matter of ventilation will be necessary so as to avoid mil- 

 dew. Give careful attention to fumigation to keep down 

 green fly which is bound to make its appearance if not 

 looked out for. 



Value of Records , 



In order to run an up-to-date establishment you should 

 adopt a rigid system of record-keeping so as to know 

 exactly where you stand at the end of each week, month 

 or year. This work may take time, but it is time well 

 spent and will amply repay any one by leaving no doubt 

 as to the merits and demerits of each and every variety 

 that you may grow. Keep a card in each house and 

 every bloom cut can be entered under its own heading. 

 All these records wll be of great utility for future refer- 

 ence. 



Mr. Parrell's next notes will l.e on fl>e fol lowing: Bougalnvllleas ; Candytuft for Memorial Day; Easter Hydrangeas; Oladloll; 



Propagating; Salvias. 



