December 9, 1811 



HORTICULTURE 



797 



Seasonable Notes on Culture of Florists' Stock 



CARE OF YOUNG LORRAINE BEGONIAS 



Plants that were propagated from leaf cuttings in 

 October should be sufficiently rooted now or in a couple 

 of weeks to go into 2 or 2%-inch pots. These plants 

 like a light sandy mix hire so give them a compost of 

 about four parts good loam, two parts leaf mold and 

 one part well-rotted manure, with enough sand to make 

 the whole light as they will not stand anything approach- 

 ing a stagnant moisture at the roots. After they are 

 potted give them a place in a house where the tempera- 

 ture stands anywhere from GO to 65 degrees at night and 

 as close to the glass as possible, giving some shade on 

 all days when the sun is powerful. They will want a 

 somewhat close and moderately humid atmosphere and 

 a nice gentle sprinkling on good days. Fresh air must 

 never be entirely excluded in good weather, for while 

 they like a moist atmosphere they will not stand a 

 muggy one. Ventilation will have to be properly man- 

 aged from this out, so as to meet the many excessive 

 changes in temperature that come with this time of 

 the year. Watering should be done with care giving 

 just enough to keep the soil damp but not saturated 

 for it is better to keep rather on the dry side than to 

 over-water. 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS FOR STOCK 



It is now time to select stock for bench and pot 

 culture, for decorative purposes and exhibition next 

 year. In deciding how many and of what varieties are 

 needed it is well to bear in mind that while some make 

 cuttings abundantly and root freely other varieties are 

 just the opposite. Having made your selection, place 

 the required number of plants in boxes of 4 or 5 inches 

 of soil, packing the roots close together and firming the 

 soil well around them, afterwards giving them a good 

 watering. Keep this stock in as cool a house as you 

 have and if pinched for room place them in a deep cold- 

 frame where they can be kept just above freezing. Be 

 sure to have all your varieties labeled with new labels. 



BOUVARDIAS 



Plants that were selected early in October and dried 

 off in a cool house can by this time be started into 

 growth. Cut all the immature wood back to well- 

 ripened wood and give them a good soaking of water 

 so the ball becomes well moistened. Give them a house 

 where the temperature runs from 60 to 65 degrees at 

 night, with a rise during the day of 10 to 15 degrees. 

 Keep the plants moist by syringing them overhead two 

 or three times a day. In a short time they will break 

 away freely from every joint producing a heavy growth 

 that will make a fine batch of cuttings. These cuttings 

 can be taken close to the base of the mature wood and 

 placed in a warm propagating frame where the temper- 

 ature of the sand is from 70 to 75 degrees. Keep them 

 moist and close and in a short time they will have 

 formed nice roots. When potting these cuttings into 

 small pots use a mixture of sifted loam three parts, 

 leaf-mold two parts. ;1 nd a little rotten cow manure with 

 some sand. Keep them rather close and shaded until 

 they have made a few new roots when they should be 

 given a place on some bench where they will have plenty 

 of light and a temperature of from 60 to 65 at night. 

 Bouvardia Humboldt ii i^ a popular favorite. 



DENDROBH 



All dendrobiums thai have lowered during the -pring 

 and summer such as Dendrobium Devonianum, D. 

 densiflorum, D. nobile and its varieties, D. suavissimum. 

 D. thyrsiflorum, D. Wardianum and also many hybrids, 

 now that their growth is maturing should have 

 water gradually withheld so as to bring about that rest- 

 ing period which is essentia] to the successful flowering 

 of these fine orchids. It is very important to give them 

 a house where they will get more sunshine with less 

 moisture in the atmosphere. To obtain this, ventilation 

 should be admitted at all times when the outside condi- 

 tions will permit. Temperature has to go hand in 

 hand with the above condition so as to give them a de- 

 cided period of rest; anywhere from 50 to 55 will be 

 sufficient. When in this temperature give only enough 

 of moisture at the roots to prevent shriveling, but they 

 will be better for a spraying overhead on all bright 

 days. When the flower nodes appear they should be 

 given a wanner and moister house. 



PROPAGATING CARNATIONS 



Those who have three or four houses of carnations to 

 provide stock for should start now and put in a batch 

 of cuttings. A propagating house is the best, but where 

 you have not this at command any bench that is sit- 

 uated where no strong draughts will strike it will 

 answer the purpose. Remember you cannot take too 

 much pains in having everything around the cutting 

 bench in a clean state. Give the sides and bottom a 

 good coat of hot whitewash to kill any fungus germs 

 and then cover the bottom for about an inch or so with 

 some coarse material for drainage. On top of this place 

 about three inches of clean sharp sand of a medium 

 grade of coarseness and pack it all over so as to be firm. 

 Keep the sand from 60 to 65 degrees of heat, while the 

 atmosphere of the house should range from 48 to 50 

 degrees to ensure a good strike. Where the sun strikes 

 the bench shade with some muslin, which can be re- 

 moved in the evening and on cloudy days. Plants that 

 have been grown from July in the house should by this 

 time give an abundance of nice cuttings from side 

 growth which will make fine material for propagation 

 without sacrificing your bloom. 



PROTECTING PANSIES, ETC. 



Pansies, daisies, myosotis, pinks, hollyhocks, violas, 

 etc., that are in frames and have been exposed until the 

 ground becomes pretty well tightened up with sharp 

 frosts, can have a light covering of some perfectly dry 

 leaves and then the sashes should be put on. During 

 all mild days through the winter give ventilation so as 

 to keep the ground in a frozen state. It is a good plan 

 to cover the sashes with mats or any other non-conduct- 

 ing material to keep the solar heat from reaching them 

 until the time when you wish to start and grow them on. 



Mr. Farrell's next notes will he on the following; Cure of 

 Caleeolorias from New On; Forcing Earl; Narcissi; Fucti»la«; 

 Ulnxinias for Spring Flowering; Increasing Fern Stock; Lilies 



Intended for Easter. 



