January, 1912 



THE Cx\NADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



I 



to care for. They do not necessarily 

 need a warm temperature, and are adapt- 

 able for centres or corners of rooms with- 

 out the window light. Tlie large leaf is 

 a good dust catcher, and this ought to 

 be sponged off just as regularly as the 

 piano needs dusting. 



Being of an upright habit, rubber 

 plants get tall and leafless very often at 

 the base. Thev then become ineffective 

 and cumbersome. About fifteen inches 

 of the top of a tali plant would make a 

 nice plant. Such an accomplishment is 

 within the reach of the novice. At the de- 

 sired place make space by cutting off a 

 couple of leaves. With a sharp knife and 

 a steady hand, cut the stem three-quar- 

 ters through. Keep this cut open about a 

 quarter of an inch with a small piece of 

 wood. Procure some sand and moss and 

 tie it firmly around the wound. Place 

 plenty of sand next the wound and the 

 moss or some machine waste to keep the 

 sand in place. Always keep this moist, 

 and in a warm situation. In eight weeks 

 more or less roots will be active. Re- 

 pot into a five inch pot by cutting the 

 remaining one-quarter of the stem when 

 the roots are quite visible around the 

 moss. With good house accommodation 

 ferns and rubber plants get better treat- 

 ment when kept indoors in summer as 

 well. 



Hanging Baskets 



A. H. Ewing, Woodstock, Oit. 



The accompanying illustrations sihow 

 baskets planted with three plants each of 

 Lophosperum Jasminaides. They were 

 secured in September, when the plants 

 were as green and vigorous and still 

 flowering as they were in June. 



Eight of the baskets were kept during 

 the past season on the verandah shown, 

 as much alike as eight peas, and three 



Hanging Basket* in Which a Pleasing Effect is Given by Plants of Lophosperum Jasminaides. 



(See adjoining article) 



planted wit'h Maurandya Barclayana. 

 These latter, which are not shown in 

 the illustration, have a tendency to grow 

 up rather than down, but make a very 

 pretty basket when planted alone, a per- 

 fect ball of green, with here and there a 



spray of flowers from the top of the 

 wires to the bottom of the basket. Four- 

 teen-inch baskets are used, and good, 

 rich soil, with a handful or two of bone- 

 meal in each, and plenty of water all the 

 time. 



New Year Plans For The Garden 



Nearer View of One of Hanging Baskets 

 Shown in the Larger Illustration 



— Photo taken in September. 



John Gall,' 



AT this season many flower growers 

 are laying their plans for next 

 summer's gardens. In garden work 

 there is a starting point, as in all other 

 business operations, and it is impossible 

 to succeed without beginning at this 

 point. Start slowly ; avoid extravagance ; 

 do not cultivate beyond your knowledge ; 

 begin with plants that succeed under ad- 

 verse circumstances, and learn from 

 them how to grow other and more ditti- 

 cult subjects. lip not think because 

 your neighbour spends hundreds or per- 

 haps it may be thousands upon plants 

 annually, that it is really necessary for 

 you to do likewise. On the contrary, 

 bear in mind that he is the best gardener 

 who produces the best and largest crops 

 at the least expense. 



In the beginning plan to work your 

 soil deep, make it rich and keep it clean : 

 then you will have made a good start ; 

 continue to keep your garden clean and 

 you will be the winner in the race. Make 

 up your mind to give the weeds to under- 

 stand from the beginning that your gar- 

 den is not their home. Keep your soil so 

 well worked around your plants that 

 weeds cannot grow. This will make the 

 plants your active, growing friends. They 

 will be faithful to you as long as you are 

 faithful to them; 



Weston, Ont. 



For sowing, select seeds of some of 

 the most choice annuals, such as petun- 

 ias, calendulas, zinnias, balsams, phlox, 

 mignonette, nasturtiums, dianthus, sal- 

 via and asters. A packet of these will 

 cost but fifty cents each. A few genuine 

 mixed gladiolus and other bulbs will not 

 cost much more, and all together will 

 give you a beautiful flower-garden — one 

 that will afford much pleasure and at the 

 same time stimulate you to greater ef- 

 fort. WHAT TO AVOID 



Do not run wild after novelties. Bear 

 in mind that high-priced seeds, bulbs or 

 plants do not necessarily give the most 

 beautiful flowers or finest display. Sup- 

 ply and demand regulate prices. A plant 

 that was plentiful and cheap thirty years 

 ago may now sell at a substantial fig- 

 ure because of its rarity. Therefore 

 start cheaply, buy a dozen of plants or 

 packets of seed for a dollar instead of 

 only one plant or one packet, and when 

 you have become thoroughly acquainted 

 with the culture of these, and can man- 

 age them well, you can safely indulge in 

 some of the more expensive kinds. 



Many people who take but little inter- 

 est in their gardens at first, become suc- 

 cessful and even enthusiastic over the 

 work as they become acquainted with 

 plants and interested in their growth. 



