June 13. 1914 



HORTICULTUKE 



t)63 



ROSE GROWING UNDER GLASS 



CONDUCTED BY 



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Questions by our readers In line with any of the topics presented on this page will be cordially receUe^ and promptly answered 

 by Mr. Ruzicka. Such communications should invariably be addressed to the office of HOBaiLULilUKiS. 



The Fires 



With the prices of the roses down, so that they are 

 cheap, it is often a case for some thinking whether or 

 not to give the houses the heat they may require early in 

 the morning on some days when it is real chilly. We 

 would advise keeping the temperatures up to the mark, 

 for even though the cost of production may thus be in- 

 creased the returns will be greater in the long run. There 

 is such a thing as working up a strain of roses that will 

 produce flowers of a better quality, and in greater niun- 

 bers. To do this will require several years good care 

 and constant attention. Here is where all the good care 

 points will count, no matter how small the little things 

 are. We would not close the ventilators up tight, thus to 

 save a little coal, — we would rather keep them open, 

 a little at least, and give the houses the amount of heat 

 they may require. To help keep mildew at bay we 

 would not allow the thermometers to drop below 64 

 degrees F. as the days are warm, even hot, and too great 

 a difference between the day and night temperatures is 

 not good for the plants, to say the least. Where steam is 

 installed it will take but little coal and trouble to keep 

 a pipe going in each house, and that will be all that is 

 necessary. 



Damping Down 



Lamping down in tlie ruse houses? We never do it, 

 although many will claim it must be done. We tried 

 damping down twice a day through several houses one 

 time and we could not get rid of blackspot through this 

 section. We gave it up and never attempted it again. 

 It is all right in its place, and when tender crops are 

 forced they could not do without it. Koses, we find, will 

 only get soft and will be more subject to disease if this 

 system is used. Where too much concrete has been used 

 through the houses, and it gets very hot, a coat of ashes 

 over the walks will help keep the houses cool and at the 

 same time keep the atmosphere damp enough to encour- 

 age plant growth, instead of liindering the same. Keep 

 the newly |ilantpd plants wet enough at the roots, taking 



care of course not to overdo it, and they will require very 

 little moisture in the air to thrive good. 



Red Spider 



Keep after this pest all along, and see that it does not 

 have a chance to get at the young plants at all. Syringe 

 as often as possible, taking care not to get the benches 

 too wet for this would encourage plant growth, while the 

 roots would sit still. Get the roots there first, and when 

 these are well formed, water and feed will make the 

 plants move. When there are no roots — then of course 

 the growth will not be very prolific, for there will be 

 nothing to transform manure, water and chemicals into 

 leaves, stems and flowers, which are so badly needed on 

 the plants. 



Fumigating 



Growers who have kept their houses real clean and 

 free from insects of all kinds will have no occasion to 

 worry because they will not be able to fumigate regularly. 

 Where there is fly to contend with, however, the case is 

 different, and should it be impossible to fumigate because 

 of heat, use some good spray and see that all parts of 

 the plants are reached. 



It is not necessary to drench the plants, for it is far 

 better to merely fog them ; the spray is then equally ef- 

 fective and far less harmful to the plants, also only about 

 one-third of the amount used the other way will be 

 required. 



Liming 



"\A'here the plants are showing the least traces of soft 

 growth, and a weak appearance all the way around, a 

 light dose of lime will be very beneficial. This will also 

 help dissolve all the food that may be in the soil, and the 

 plants will then make use of it, allowing little if any 

 to go to waste. 



Do not use too much lime at a time, and do not use 

 ground limestone for it is far too slow in action. Use 

 only quick burnt lime that has been air slacked, as that 

 will give vou immediate results and that is what we not 

 onlvVant, Init must have in our business. 



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