THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



November, 1(114. 



A Campanula Persifolia or Bell Flower 



Lilie other biennials it may either be sown 

 where it Is to remain, any time after midsum- 

 mer, or may be sown in bsds in the epring 

 for transplanting". 



forcing pit should be at 70 degrees ; to 

 go beyond that point will cause the at- 

 tenuated growth and poverty of color. 



CULTURE IN GLASSES 



It is of little consequence whether rain 

 or spring- water be employed in their 

 culture in glasses, but it should be pure, 

 and in the glasses it should nearly but 

 not quite touch the bulbs. Store at 

 once in a dark, cool place to encourage 

 the bulbs to send their roots down into 

 the water before the leaves begin to 

 grow. When the roots are developed, 

 bring the glasses from the dark to the 

 light in order that the leaves and flow- 

 ers may be in perfect health. It is not 

 desirable to introduce in the water any 

 stimulating substance, but the glasses 

 must be kept nearly full of water by re- 

 plenishing as it disappears. If the 

 leaves become dusty they can be clean- 

 ed with a sponge dipped in water, but 

 particular care must be taken not to 

 injure them in the process. 



MINIATURE HYAOINTH6 



The charming little sparkling hya- 

 cinths are invaluable for baskets, bowls, 

 and other contrivances for the choicest 

 decorative purposes. In quality they are 

 excellent, the spikes being symmetrical 

 and color brilliant ; but they are true 

 miniatures, growing about half the size 

 of the others and requiring less soil to 

 root in. They will flower well if planted 

 in a mixture of moss and charcoal. Keep 

 them moist and covered with the green- 

 est moss to give the ornament contain- 

 ing them a finished appearance. 



Mayflowers in January 



W. W. MtNeeIr 



Among the readers of The Canadian 

 Horticulturist there are many who long 

 for the woodsy things, the flowers, ferns 

 and plants that draw us to the forests ir- 

 resistibly as soon as the robin returns. 

 How often during the long winter 

 months we rebel against the snow and 

 would gladly exchange all our hyacinths 

 and tulips and freesias for one whiff of 

 the hepatica's spicy fragrance 



To all such I bring greetings, to a 

 few, perhaps, I bring joy — not this year 

 maybe, but in the years to come. For 

 as I write my window is bright with the 

 blue and pink and white blossoms of the 

 hepaticas, whose delicate aroma carry 

 me back to the days when we went may- 

 flowering, and dared each other to take 

 off our shoes and wade the icy puddles. 

 This, however, is distressing — but who 

 could resist reminiscencing when one's 

 window is full of mayflowers? 



To have mayflowers or hepaticas in 

 January requires ab.solutely no know- 

 ledge of floriculture. All that is neces- 

 sary is to dig up a few roots in the woods 

 just Ixjfore the snow falls (or even after) 

 and plant them in pots or boxes. Then 

 place them in the cellar for a few weeks 

 and bring them up to the light and heat. 

 Keep them well watered and you will 

 have an abundance of blossoms in two 

 \\eeks. They never fail, and for an in- 

 valid or shut-in nothing will bring more 

 pleasure than a little bowl of hepaticas 

 when winter blasts are blowing. 



After the flowers are nearly done the 

 leaves grow luxuriantly. In .some varie- 

 ties the markings are quite pretty and 

 the fresh green of the leaves is so appeal- 

 ing that I feel sure you will want the 

 plants to remain on your windows after 

 the flowers have delivered their message 

 of hope and good cheer. 



Planting Suggestions 



J. McPherton Ron, Toronto, Ont. 



For houses with low foundations plant 

 low-growing plants and evergreens. 

 These make a suitable frin,ge. For a 

 house with high foundations and base- 

 ment windows, taller growing shrubs 

 and plants are suitable, as they hide the 

 nether nakedness and give grace and 

 beauty to otherwise ugly features. 



The same enthusiasm evinced in spring 

 gardening should be continued till the 

 snow falls. Neatness and order give as 

 much pleasure as floral effects. 



Autumn has really more work to do in 

 preparing the soil, rearranging beds and 

 determining the effects for next season 

 than the hurried time in spring will 

 allow. Observe now the effect of cer- 

 taii> combinations and aim to produce 

 them in the most prominent places next 



season. Flowers such as Lilius Candi- 

 dum, Canterbury Bells, Foxglove, and all 

 whites and blues give more pleasure 

 during hot weather than the gaudy reds 

 and yellows — which are more suited for 

 cooler fall weather. 



Dahlias will not bloom during very 

 hot weather, the intense heat having a 

 deterrent effect on buds, which frequent- 

 ly dry up and fall off. 



Garden Promptings 



Rake a pile of leaves into .some out 

 of the way corner to decay and furnish 

 leaf mould for next year. 



There is still time to plant tulip bulbs 

 outside or hyacinths, tulips, narcissi, 

 or daffodils for forcing indoors. 



As soon as the ground begins to freeze 

 cover the tulip bed with about four inches 

 of heavy manure. 



Well-rotted manure put on the lawn 

 in the late fall will help to hold the snow 

 and make a much better lawn next year. 



Cover Boston ivy vines with straw as 

 a protection against winter. 



Rake up and burn all prunings and 

 weeds in the orchard and garden. 



As soon as the ground freezes cover 

 the strawberry bed and bulb beds. 



Place oak boughs that are holding 

 their leaves over tender evergreens. 



Prune and burn all diseased limbs or 

 dry fruits clinging to the plum or apple 

 tree. 



Mulch orchard trees and shrubs with 

 manure as soon as the ground freezes 

 a little. 



Draw the currant branches together 

 and tie them to prevent their being 

 broken down by the snow or sleet of 

 winter. 



Cut and burn asparagus canes. If 

 well rotted manure is available mulch 

 the bed well with it, plowing it in as 

 early in spring as possible. 



Place burlap, cornstalks, or ooards on 

 the south side of small smooth-barked 

 lawn trees and apple trees to protect 

 from sunscald during the winter. 



Clean hay or straw may be placed on 

 perennials and covered with boards or 

 tar paper to prevent the plants from 

 getting wet. It is well to avoid putting 

 on any material that will smother the 

 plants or permit of their getting wet. 



Do not allow house plants to stand 

 in water in the jardiniere. Water as 

 frequently and thoroughly as the plant 

 needs, but keep the jardiniere dry at 

 all times. 



After the chrysanthemum plants bloom 

 cut down the flower stocks and set in a 

 cool, light place until ttoward sprijng 

 when cuttings may be made for next 

 season's growth. 



Rose bushes may be laid down and 

 covered with earth, later covering the 

 earth with hay or strawy manure. 



