164 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



July, 19J0 



terfiies, and from which ample cuttings 

 can be made for decorative purposes. 

 The variety (Golden Glow) is one most 

 in cultivation, but there are many other 

 single varieties equally desirable and flor- 

 iferous. 



• It is necessary sometimes to tie the 

 clump to a centre stake to prevent the 



Golden Glow ia Bloom 



stalks breaking down with the wind, as 

 the abundance of flower blooms make 

 them top heavy in showery or windy 

 weather. 



The growing popularity of al) the 

 herbaceous plants is causing growers to 

 be on the look out for new varieties, as 

 many amateurs are going in for col- 

 lections of the various species. Cata- 

 logues, therefore, give descriptions of 

 many new rudbeckias, all worthy of cul- 

 tivation. A few plants make quite a 

 show. They bloom from July to Sep- 

 tember, and thrive under all conditions of 

 neglect or cultivation. The best results 

 are obtained when they are given ordin- 

 ary care. As they are strong growers 

 they require manure annually. When 

 you do not need to plant again, or cannot 

 give the plants away, they may be kept 

 under control by digging surplus growth 

 under. 



Red Spider on Geraniums 



What is the cause of geranium leaves 

 turning yellow and shriveling? — A. J. L. 



The trouble is probably red spider, a 

 nasty jjest during July and August, es- 

 pecially in light sandy soils. The remedy 

 is to try and spray often with cold water 

 on the under side of the foliage. Mulch 

 the soil with short grass from the lawn. 

 — E. F. Collins. 



Care of Bulbs 



Will you kindly give me some information 

 on how to tnanago bulbs after th^y have 

 flowere<l 'i Some bulbs seem to do better if 

 taken up every year, while others do better 

 when left alone. Of course Gladioli should 

 be taken up every year. I have had much 

 trouble with my Poeticus Narcissus. Many 

 of the bulbs blight.— A. J. C. 



Tulip bulbs give best results, as a rule, 

 if the bulbs are taken up each year after 

 the crops die down, or if the bed is in- 

 tended for annuals the tulips may be dug 

 while the tops are yet green, and heeled in 

 in a well drained place with the tops still 

 attached to them. If taken up when the 

 tops are dry, the bulbs are kept 'dry until 

 September, when they should be re- 

 planted. If left in the ground all summer 

 and subjected to moist and dry condi- 

 tions of ground alternately, they are like- 

 ly to be injured, although in well-drained 

 soil some varieties will persist for several 

 years ; hence it is not really necessary to 

 take up the bulbs each year. Narcissus 

 should not be taken up every year, but 

 when the clumps get so thick that the 

 bloom is affected they should be dug out 

 and the best bulbs re-planted and given 

 more room. — W. T. Macoun, C.E.F., 

 Ottawa. 



think that there is no fear of the disease 

 becoming serious. — J. E. Howitt,O.A. 

 C, Guelph, Ont. 



Trouble With Geraniums 



Can you give me a little advice regarding 

 the enclosed geranium leaves. If you hold 

 them against the light there is something in 

 the leaf like a fungus. It gradually spreads, 

 the leaves turn yellow and drop. The 

 blooms do not open in the center, but shrivel 

 up. — S. L. B., Island of Orleans, Que. 



We have had the leaves examined 

 carefully and have found that the brown 

 spotting and dying of the leaves is due 

 to a bacterial disease. This disease is 

 favored by moist conditions and therefore 

 often caused to develop and become no- 

 ticeable by over watering, lack of drain- 

 age and too much shading. If these con- 

 ditions are overcome and the soil in which 

 the plants are growing is suitable we 



Cactus as a Decorative Plant 



J. H. Callander, Peterbero 



The growing of Cacti, a class of plants 

 that comprises in its members the 

 strangest productions in form and hab- 

 its that Nature has ever added to 

 plant life, has received a decided revival 

 within the last few years. Their splen- 

 did qualities as decorative plants, both in 

 the conservatory and garden are begin- 

 ning to be realized. The first great 

 factor that has helped to bring about 

 this result is the success in creating odd 

 and beautiful effects by massing in 

 indoor groups, or forming striking de- 

 signs in carpet bedding, by those who 

 have tried the Cacti for these purposes. 

 This success has led others to desire 

 some such arrangement. For house 

 plants, there is no other species like the 

 Cactus. It endures all temperature, the 

 dust that is the enemy of foliage plants, 

 gases which destroy other vegetation, 

 and appears to simply revel in a long 

 siege of neglect. Added to this, the 

 oddity of form and the wonderful coloring 

 of the spines, has made them always a 

 source of curious admiration. To crown 

 all, the magnificence of many of their 

 flowers surpasses everything that it has 

 been found possible to produce under 

 the most favorable cultural conditions. 



This grandeur of bloom is not found 

 on the carefully tended plants as might 

 be expected, but comes oftenest on 

 neglected specimens that find their ideal 

 conditions in being allowed a season of 

 rest. They reward the delighted owner 

 with a flower or flowers of rare beauty, 

 form and coloring. Cacti not only 



stand neglect, but actually demand it 

 to enable them to give the best results. 

 \ great many of the parks in the larger 



A Backyard Garden in Toronto Which Shows What Can be Done 



This garden, of Mr. R. 0. Wade. Eiverdale Ave., Toronto, demonstrates the great improvements 

 that can be made in the average city back yard. Compare this backyard with that of the 

 average city house. 



