i88 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



THE CULTIVATION OF THE CANNA, SWEET PEA, ETC. 



A paper read before the April Meeting of the Woodstock Horticultural Society^ 

 by Mr. John Pike, Gardener and Seedsman. 



The Canna. 



S we are to be supplied with roots of this plant through our local 

 Society, perhaps the following remarks, and the criticisms on this 

 paper will give us the necessary information how best to cultivate 

 and care for them. Canna is the Celtic name for cane or reed 

 as its habit of growth also implies. The Canna is an extensive 

 and very ornamental order of tender herbaceous perennials ; most of them have 

 showy flowers ; they are also grown for the remarkable beauty of their foliage, 

 and are equally effective either planted singly or grouped in beds. 



The cause for the recent popularity of this plant may be attributed to it 

 being used so extensively for ornamentation at the World's Fair, a few years 

 previous to which vast improvements had been made in them by the introduc- 

 tion of the new dwarf large flowering French strains, which are of the ever- 

 blooming class. This flower is now out-doing all other summer bedders. 

 Every season their splendid flower and foliage effects are increasing in public 

 parks and private grounds ; they also make handsome pot plants, grown in large 

 pots or tubs. I believe the American nation has never decided upon a national 

 flower, although there was considerable discussion upon the matter a few years 

 ago, but I presume they are content to keep to the old adage, expressed in the 

 following lines : — 



France has the Lily, England the Rose, 



Scotland the Thistle which everyone knows, 



While Ireland has the Shamrock which grows on the hill, 



But the American emblem is the .$1.00 bill. 



Why could they not claim the Canna, as it is known that with the Four hun- 

 dredth Anniversary of the discovery of America, the average American flower 

 grower first adopted this plant. 



Cannas may be grown from seed planted early in greenhouse, hot-bed, or 

 pots in the house. The great difficulty in getting seeds to start (on account of 

 the extreme hardness of the shell) may be overcome by soaking the seed in hot 

 water, or else break away a portion of the outside shell, so that the moisture will 

 penetrate and facilitate their germination. Plants started from seed will usually 

 flower by the end of July, and continue to bloom until frost ; these plants may 

 then be lifted into pots and will flower far into the winter ; but where results are 

 desired the first summer, it is better to propagate from divisions of the roots. 

 Start the bulbs ii? pots in March or April, not using much water until they start 

 into growth ; then water freely and place in a good light. June ist is early 



