March 28, 1914 



HOKTICULTUBB 



46S 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



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

 by Mr. Farrell. Snch Communications should Invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICDLTDKE. 



Carnation Ground 



In preparing the ground for carnations, it is alway;^ 

 best to select a piece that is quite level and well-drained 

 either naturally or artificially. Carnations while mak- 

 ing their growth in the field require a rich soil, or the 

 result will be a lot of stunted plants when housing time 

 comes around. Give a good coating of well rotted ma- 

 nure, plow it under and harrow each way so the soil 

 will be well pulverized. When the soil is deep plowed 

 and well cultivated the roots can penetrate deep. Sod 

 or pasture land is excellent when jilowed in the fall and 

 left all winter exposed to hard freezing. 



Plants for Vases and Boxes 



Much depends ujiun the plants used. Vases are some- 

 times in an exposed situation, while others are in a 

 shady position. For a sunny and exposed situation the 

 following named plants will prove very satisfactory. 

 For centers use Dracasna indivisa or other grassy-leaved 

 s|)ecies. Chamalrops huiiiilis or any of the Phoenix 

 family will do fairly well. To fill the remainder, gera- 

 niums, coleus, Centaurea gymnocarpa, Begonia Vernon, 

 [letunias, ageratums. andachyranthes will give a fine 

 color combination. For trailers Vinca major vai'ie- 

 gata, Solanum jasininoides, Abutilon vexillarium, nas- 

 turtiums, verbenas. Gorman ivy and ivy leaved geraniums 

 and many others. In a shady situation for centers use 

 Phoenix rupicola, Latania Borljonica, Areca lutescens 

 and cordylines and for the remainder use fuchsias, be- 

 gonias, small plants of Ficus elastica, aspidistras and 

 ferns. For trailers use German ivy, tradescantias, 

 Kenilworth ivy. and Asparagus Sprengerii. 



Preparations for Easter 



The early buds on many of the lilies will now be 

 showing white. These can now safely be given a cooler 

 house and will be out in good season. It is possible 

 now to make up these plants by selecting those which 

 will flower together. No compunction need be used 

 about shaking away or chopping off some of the balls 

 to make them fit into the new receptacles. They will 

 flower just as well if kept well watered. Tulips and 

 narcissi which are usually grown in flats can be taken 

 out and placed in pans. They will open just as well and 

 last as long as if grown in them. Do not attempt this 

 unless the plants arc short and stocky and do it just 

 before the flowers open. Hyacinths can be treated in 

 the same way. Pansies and double daisies sold well in 

 little baskets last Easter. If you have these in a cold 

 house and they are coming into flower make up some 

 pans or baskets" of them. Flowering shrubs such as lilac, 

 deutzias, cherries, double plums, etc., should now he 

 coming into flower and ought to be opened in a cooler 

 liouse. Wistarias also need similar treatment. Ram- 



bler roses, hydrangeas, spiraeas and all flowering stock 

 will now be matted with roots and copious supplies of 

 water are necessary to keep them in condition. What a 

 treasure a man is who is a really careful hand at 

 watering. He who does not skip a few pans on a bench 

 every time he waters is the exception hard to find. 

 Nothing so stamps the successful grower as the knowl- 

 edge of how to use the hose right. 



Starting Achimenes 



These jiiants when well grown make very enticing 

 subjects. They should be placed in pans now, using 

 5 to 8-inch pans. Those plants require good drainage. 

 The pans should be filled about one-quarter full of 

 crocks and some moss placed over them. Finish off 

 with sand so the pots or pans are about three-quarters 

 full. Place the tubers quite close together and cover 

 with sand. They should be given a temperature of at 

 least G5 degrees at night. In about three or four weeks 

 the young growths should make their appearance. When 

 they have a growth of a couple of inches they can be 

 potted into other pans, say six or seven in a 5-inch pan 

 and eight or nine in a 6-inch pan. Give a compost of 

 two parts fibrous loam, two parts leaf mold and about 

 one part sand. Place near the glass and keep in a 

 similar temperature to that in which they were started. 

 Syringe and water with care. 



Transplanting Seedlings 



For the filling of seed pans and boxes strictly pure 

 and fresh soil only should be used, excluding all soil 

 used in previous indoor cultures, or any with fertilizing 

 matter intermixed. There should be at all seasons, and 

 at this time of year especially, adequate quantities of 

 jiroperly prepared soil handy for immediate use. The 

 flats should be three inches deep, the soil made mod- 

 erately firm, with smooth, even surface. With a blunt 

 dibble, half an inch or more in width make a deep hole. 

 Then let the seedling down, with its roots "'|iangiiig 

 straight, not bent upwards. You can insert tfie plaiitf ' 

 deep enough to let its seed leaves rest on the surface of ' 

 ilio soil. The next most important thing to observe is 

 to insert the dibble into the soil by the side, of the plant 

 so that the soil is pressed firmly around the roofs. 



Salvia Cuttings 



Do not forget to T^eep propagating salvia right along, 

 as this makes fine stock to have for late planting. The 

 propagation of salvia can go on until May and yet 

 make fine stock for many uses. Just as soon as they are 

 rooted pot them up and place in a warm house. To 

 keep them growing they will want a temperature of 

 about 60 degrees at night. Keep them well watered and 

 svrinsed. 



\Ii- Fnrrell's next notes will be on the following: Sweet Peas; Dr.icaenn inrlivisn : Poinsettias; Sowing Palm Seed: Transplnnline 



Primulas; Preparing Beds «na Bordert. 



