THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



is always desirable, for if the plants are in anj- way coddled the natural 

 resistance to disease will be impaired, and instead of thrifty, hardy plants, 

 we shall have nothing but weaklings. As soon as weather permits remove 

 the plants to a cold frame, for the sooner they get away from artificial 

 heat the better. On every favorable occasion remove the sash completely, 

 so that the air may have full freedom to play around the plants. Needless 

 to say, they must never be allowed to sufifer from lack of water, or to 

 become starved for the want of repotting. According to locality, the plants 

 may generally be planted out in their permanent quarters from the tenth 

 of April to May i. 



Still cloudy weather is the ideal time for planting, as on such a day 

 injury to the plants from temporary exposure of the roots will be mini- 

 mized. The trenches should have been moderately firmed by walking on 

 them and then finely raked. Do not fear to open the ball and spread out 

 the roots, even at the risk of breaking a few rootlets, as the advantages 

 gained by so doing will more than oflfset any little damage. In planting be 

 sure to press the soil into intimate contact with all the roots, and, if the 

 soil be on the dry side, follow the planting with a good watering, finally 

 hoeing the ground thoroughly. 



Let not those, who lack facilities to accomplish these things, despair, 

 because much may be accomplished and very gratifying results follow, 

 even if we are obliged to sow directly outside, provided we thoroughly 

 prepare the soil, in some such manner as here advised, and our subsequent 

 treatment be of the right kind. If we must sow in -the open, let us make 

 drills about two or three inches deep on top of the prepared trenches and 

 sow just as early as possible, putting the seeds about an inch apart, so as 

 to allow for losses. If they come up fairly thick, take out enough to leave 

 the plants from six to eight inches apart. 



Supports 



It IS advisable to place around newly set-out plants some bushy brush a 

 foot or so high, to afford some slight protection from the cold biting 

 winds, which may be expected at this early season. This will also give the 

 plants something to cling to as soon as there is need of it. 



For permanent supports there is nothing better than good brush six to 

 eight feet tall, set firmly in the ground, but as this is sometimes rather 

 difficult to obtain, a fairly good substitute will be found in large-meshed 

 poultry wire, nailed to posts. 



Having provided good supports for the plants, the routine work will 

 be to keep the ground hoed as frequently as possible and to prevent over- 

 crowding. A little judicious thinning will occasionally be necessary. This 

 may be accomplished by cutting away superfluous shoots. If flower buds 

 appear before the plants have reached a height of about three feet, it will 

 be well to disbud the plants, as too early flowering will militate against the 

 future well-being of the plant. When the plants have acquired the requi- 

 site height and strength and flowering begins in earnest, you must be sure 



