106 



II WTI CULTUn E 



January 24, 1914 



ROSE GROWING UNDER GLASS 



CONDUCTED BY" 



CSayiZA-^y- 



Questions by our readers In line with any of the topics presented on this pjige will be cordially received and promptly an»wered 

 by Mr. Ruzieka. Such communications should invariably be addressed to the omce of HOKTlCULTLKi.. 



The Cold Snap 



Xotwithstanding all that is written about sufficient 

 wrapping paper in the packing, many growers failed to 

 have their boxes frost proof in the recent cold snap, and 

 as a result man}' hundred dollars' worth of flowers were 

 frozen. Many of these came from up-to-date places 

 where one would never think of looking for frozen fEow- 

 ers. Experience has taught us that it pays to have a 

 roll of heavy wrapping paper always on hand, and this 

 with plenty of newspaper put around the shipping boxes 

 on the outside will do wonders in keeping the frost out. 

 The corners of the boxes should be well papered, as 

 usually they are left with the paper about half an inch 

 away from the end, and it does not take a very big crevice 

 for Jack Frost to enter and then the flowers are done 

 for. 



Fires 



Looking over the trade papers one will see accounts of 

 a great many fires with thousands of dollars loss to grow- 

 ers. Some are covered partly by insurance but the loss 

 of the season's crop is far worse than the loss of build- 

 ings. In many places the cellar seems to be an ideal 

 place to deposit all kinds of rubbish, old paper boxes 

 and many other useless things. These naturally dry 

 out as the fires are forced in cold weather and make nice 

 kindlings to start a fire. Keep wood and stuff away 

 from the boiler room. Have the floor above the boilers 

 of steel and concrete, if at all possible, and if this can- 

 not be, at least see that there is good protection of the 

 floor above the boilers. Then it is well to invest a few 

 dollars in fire extinguishers and keep them handy. An 

 extra line of pipe all through the place which connects to 

 fire hose only, a hydrant here and there, will be a very 

 profitable investment. The cost is small compared to 

 what the loss may be if no pi-ovision for fire protection 

 is made. Have a reel of fire hose that is never disturbed 

 in every potting shed, two or three in the larger ones, 

 and let it stay there, so that anyone can find it there 

 even though it was pitch dark. Never let the employees 

 remove this hose. It is well to have a fire bell, too, 

 that can be rung to summon help on any size place. 

 Where possible have telephone connections at least to 

 the manager's house. All this seems a lot of fuss but 

 when a fire starts it will all be paid for. 



F esh Water for Vases 

 Just becattse it is winter and cold is no reason why all 

 the cut flower vases should not be refilled, at least every 

 other day. During warm weather it is necessary to refill 

 every day, and it is not a bad plan to carry it out even 

 in cold weather. Flowers, to keep fresh must have fresh 

 water. Stagnant water will kill the foliage along the 

 bottom of stems, and the cut flowers are very poor speci- 

 mens after the foliage is gone. Keep the Jars and vases 

 clean and full of fresh water — clean enough to drink. 



Watering Cuttings in Sand 



As soon as a batch of cuttings is put into sand they 

 should be watered well and then if drainage is good and 

 sand not too fine they will take a watering every day for 

 a while. In watering try to have the water a little 

 warm — at least within 10 degrees of the temperature 

 maintained in sand. On many places where an ele- 

 vated tank is used the water will be ice cold, the tank 

 being full of ice, and this is no water to use in a propa- 

 gating house. Even the plants suffer to some extent 

 when watered with this ice water, and the cuttings re- 

 ceive a good chill to say the very least, as it will take 

 quite a while for the sand to warm up again. A good 

 plan is to have the water pipe for the propagators run 

 along the heating pipes and as it is used the heat will 

 take the chill off at least. 



Watering in the Houses 



With the wind blowing a gale and the mercury down 

 to zero the benches will dry out very rapidly, and, as is 

 often the case — very unevenly. Watch the soil very 

 carefully, and be sure to give sufficient amount of water, 

 where all the mulch has disappeared. A little coarse 

 sod mixed with a little rough manure may be applied to 

 hold the water in place, or better still a light mulch of 

 good, well decayed cow manure can be use. The former, 

 however, will no doubt be much more convenient to 

 apply, and liquid manure can be used to furnish all the 

 necessary plant food. Bonemeal, of course, should be 

 added to the sod mulch, or a little of it scattered before 

 using the manure. This seems so natural that we some- 

 times forget to write it. 



Fumigating 



Do not neglect this important item in the growing of 

 roses. Keep the plants clean. With the coming of the 

 warmer and longer days the fly will multiply much more 

 rapidly than ever. So will spiders spread if given half 

 a chance. If you would have clean houses for the com- 

 ing spring and summer, keep after the bugs now. A 

 mild fumigating or spraying every now and then will be 

 all that is necessary and thus all insects will be kept out. 

 A heavy spray or fumigation is not so very good for the 

 plants, and is liable to do harm. Try to arrange to have 

 it done just before syringing ; it is more effective. Never 

 have the plants too dry while fumigating, for a damp 

 atmosphere is essential to the success of the operation, 

 and also to the safety of the plants. 



Tying 



With the rush of propagation do not neglect tying in 

 the least, or there may be a chance for regret. A bench 

 of Beauties kept well tied will produce far more flowers 

 than a bench neglected. Then, too, you can see many 

 things on the plants while tying which would escape 

 unnoticed, unless you make regular trips among the 

 houses to inspect them. In doing so go over the whole 

 house thoroughly — benches, soil, plants and all. You 

 will be surprised at what you will find here and there. 



