May 2, 1914 



HORTICULTURE 



&61 



NOTES ON CULTURE OF FLORISTS' STOCK 



CONDUCTED BY 



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9h.^a^Ai^/' 



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

 by Mr. Farrell. Sucb communications sbouUl invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



NEW 



Pfimtilas 



Priimilas should be growii cool. Fifty degrees at 

 night is ample. The young plants want to be kept near 

 the light, but need a little shade from the direct sun. 

 Sowing jDrimula seed is still seasonable. Yon will not 

 get as fine Christmas plants as from the earlier sowings, 

 but they can he gi-own into nice little stock in 5-inch 

 pots which is a convenient size for marketing. Primula 

 seed wants a brisk moist heat to germinate, but the 

 plants themselves should never be subjected to any 

 forcing conditions. The earliest sowing should now 

 be in 2|-inch or 3-inch pots. The compost should be 

 light, equal parts of leaf-mold not too much decayed, 

 and loam with a little sand. After the middle of May 

 they should be grown in a cold frame and if they are 

 partially plunged in fine coal ashes all the better. A 

 spraying overhead each afternoon will be beneficial. 



Chrysanthemums 



The chief trouble now is to keep the plants watered. 

 Dry winds, small pots and a rapid growth combine to 

 make the chrysanthemum a very thirsty plant these 

 days, and if stoclc is allowed to dry out a few times the 

 l)lack fly comes, and comes to stay. Give syringings 

 every good day as evaporation is so rapid that not the 

 least harm will result but on the contrary a whole lot of 

 good. A vigorous spray all over the house several times 

 a day lowers the temperature many degrees and makes 

 life more enduralile I'or the chrysanthemums, to which 

 the intense heat of a modern greenhouse is a very un- 

 natural condition. 



Hydrangeas for Memorial Day 



The hydrangea sells better around the end of May 

 than at any other time of the year. Plants that were 

 started soon after the middle of March in a cool house 

 sliould be in fine shape for Memorial Day trade. At this 

 time they should have plenty of light. To be right for 

 ^lemorial Day the buds should now be well exposed and 

 by the second week in May they should show their rosy 

 pink tint. To have fine foliage and large flower heads 

 give them manure water twice a week until they show 

 lolor, when it should stop. With the long sunny days 

 they will want |]lGnty of water at the roots. Give good 



Mr. Farrcll's iii'vt noli's will be on the following: Bedding Pla 



Sowing Ann 



syringing on a'll bright days ; this can be continued until 

 they show plenty of color. A week before they are 

 needed they should be gradually hardened up in cooler 

 quarters. This will help to intensify their coloring. 



Marguerites 



Marguerites will now require several waterings daily. 

 One good drying out means the loss of many flowers. 

 ]\Iarguerites grown for cutting should now have the pots 

 or boxes stood on the beds or benches so that they can 

 root through. They will want frequent feeding or the 

 stems will not have the length or the flowers the size 

 we would like to see. Late-rooted stock should not be 

 left in the cutting bench or in small jDots too long. 

 These will sell well at the bedding out season, and even 

 if all are not sold then they can be planted outdoors 

 and will make fine bushy plants for lifting in the fall. 

 Take advantage of every good day and ventilate, as 

 marguerites require plenty of fresh air. 



Lily of the Valley for June Forcing 



Blooms of fine quality can be produced in frames 

 after the early part of May. All that is necessary is a 

 well built, close frame. Put si.x inches of sand over 

 the manure and plant the pips as you would in a frame 

 in the greenhouse. The frame can be partitioned so 

 that two or more batches can be kept coming on. Don't 

 overdo the heat or you will get leggy stalks. For June 

 cutting when the demand is quite heavy a frame should 

 be prepared at once. It takes about three to four weeks 

 to flower lily of the valley, provided the proper bottom 

 heat and top temperature can be given it. Keep close 

 and dark until the stalks are half grown. Then grad- 

 ually increase the light. LTse no water overhead after 

 the flowers arc expanding for fear of spotting them. At 

 this season there is loss danger from this c'ause than 

 in winter. 



Sowing Grevillea robosta 



Now is a good time to make a sowing of Grevillea 

 robusta. These will make fine plants for next year's 

 use. Sow the seed in flats, using any good light soil, 

 and give them a good hot house which will bring seed 

 up quicker. Wlien they are large enough pot into 

 small pots in rich compost. 



nts; Cinerarias: Memorial Day Trade; Orchids; Planting Dahlias; 

 uals Outside. 



Boston Convention Garden 



The Convention Garden, notwithstanding the in- other l»cdding plants can be shipped after May SOtli. 



clement weather, has so far advanced that ornamental All such plants should be addressed to Boston I'ark 



trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials may be sent Department, Back Bay Fens, Boston, Mass., and marked 



now. Tender plants. -;uch as cannas, geraniums and "Convention Garden,"' care of James B. Shea. 



