1890. 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



55 



and would destroy many of the apple worms by 

 eating the fallen apples. The reason why we 

 wish to pasture off the clover closely in the fall 

 is on account of mice. If the clover is left as it 

 (frows, it will feed and harbor many field mice. 



The earlier gathering and better handling of 

 our Apples will add to their keeping value and 

 market reputation. Handle but once in harvest- 

 ing and packing for market where possible, and 

 keep them out of cellars as long as you can ; but 

 always in a dry, cool place. Plant varieties that 

 will live, grow and bear fruit in abundance. 



Experiments with Fertilizers. 

 {A paper by Mr. W. I. Bartfiotomew at the Winter 



Meeting of the State Board of Agriculture at Hart- 

 ford.) 



It is generally admitted, that with soils 

 of sufficient fertility to be worthy of culti- 

 vation, but three elements need be added, 

 IU2: Nitrogen,phosphoric acid, and potash. 

 Upon the proper and economical use of 

 these, depends to a great extent, the art of 

 fertilization. 



We are frequently asked which is the better for 

 practical use;— manure or commercial fertilizers? 

 Each of these posseses some desirable qualities 

 not to be found in the other, and most of our 

 well informed farmers make use of both. The 

 farmer should consider manure a valuable pro- 

 duct of his farm, containing a large amount of 

 plant-food, as he considers his hay valuable tor 

 the animal food furnished. 



The farmer may by careful observation, with 

 the use of special fertilizers upon his principle 

 crops, soon ascertain which ones are most needed. 



On my farm the use of phosphoric acid in a suit- 

 able form, has produced a marked effect each 

 year since its first trial, some thirty-flve years 

 ago. It so increased the yield of Corn that for 

 more than twenty years I have not planted it 

 without applying this fertilizer. I prefer plain 

 superphosphate which should contain at least 18 

 per cent of phosphoric acid. 



For my main crop of Corn, I usually spread 

 from 12 to 18 cartloads of manure per acre. 

 This is then well harrowed in, and from 200 to 

 400 lbs. of the phosphRte thrown in the hills with 

 the Corn. This usually gives very satisfactory 

 crops— much better than is obtained from double 

 that quantity of manure without phosphate 

 Perhaps some will need to substitute potash, 

 or sulphate of ammonia instead of phosphate. 



For Potatoes I omit the manure and use a 

 mixture of the three fertilizers; put up b.v re- 

 liable dealers, as " Potato fertilizers." If man- 

 ure is used the Potatoes are generally " scabby," 

 ill shaped and very likely to rot, while fertilizer 

 not only increases the crop, but the Potatoes are 

 larger, smoother and of better quality. 



Phosphoric acid is beneficial to young plants, 

 and some put phosphate in the hill with all seeds 

 at planting. I think that plain phosphate seldom 

 or never injures young plants if applied in 

 moderate quantities, while it greatly accelerates 

 their growth I have doubted if it is of much 

 value, unless the plants have access to it in the 

 earlier stages of their srrowth: and for this rea- 

 son I like to have it near them. 



Many of the so called " Phosphates " " Feitili- 

 zers" etc., with prefi.xes and affi.ves to their 

 names are mixtures of floubtful utility. An au- 

 thority says: "Speaking in general terms, it may 

 truly be said that very little knowledge and still 

 less, conscience have been displayed in past 

 years in the manufacture of the nitrogenized 

 superphosphates in this country, while for a 

 long period it was customary to sell them at ex- 

 orbitant prices." Honest manufacturers are 

 yet in doubt of the proper proportions for 

 special crops. 



Except for special crops where manure seems 

 to have an injurious effect— notably so on Pota- 

 toes—fertilizers alone may not be as profitable 

 as when used to reinforce farm manures. It 

 may be fair to estimate the market value of the 

 fertilizing elements in a ton of average dung at 

 83.00. Twenty-five or thirty tons per acre are 

 often used. Try half that quantity, with the 

 value of the other half in good fertilizer on an 

 acre, and note the result. 



Such information as would lead us to a judi- 

 cious use of plant food, would, perhaps, prove 

 of as great benefit to us as does the selection of 

 proper food for our stock. I have more good 

 hay in my barn than my cattle can eat this 

 winter, as well as a good bin of Corn in my 

 granery. Yet I buy bran and cotton-seed meal 

 to feed with the hay and Corn meal in the daily 



rations of my cows, and thereby obtain much 

 more milk, and of better quality than I can 

 from all the Hay and Corn meal alone the cows 

 will eat. 



It is more ditficultto determine the proper food 

 for plants than for animals, and the subject is 

 yet very imperfectly understood. 



The Chrysanthemum Its Western 

 History. 



lAbstract of paper by John Ttwrpe, read before the 

 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.) 



The Chrysanthemum was introduced from 

 China about ITW. There were two species, 

 Sinense and Indicum, the Indicum being 

 the small form. No doubt many varieties 

 were introduced from Europe to America 

 before the beginning of the present century. 

 I am informed there are many kinds to be 

 seen in Virginia which have been known 

 for over .tO years. Previous to 1868 all the 

 varieties grown came from Europe. Many 

 of our best varieties have been raised here. 



To Japan we are indebted for not only many 

 beautiful kinds, but it was the introductions 

 from there to England by Fortune in 1860-1-2 of 

 some of the very distinct forms that gave a fresh 

 impetus to their culture. The critics ventured 

 to say that the shaggy, irregular-shaped, ill-col- 

 ored things would soon be relegated to the past. 



The Pennsylvania Society has always been a 

 leader in the cultivation of the Chrysanthemum. 

 Nowhere are there such beautiful plants grown 

 as at Philadelphia, and this is not all, the best 

 Chrysanthemums growing to-day came from 

 Philadelphia. 



The many and varied shapes of the Chrysan- 

 themum is no doubt a factor in its popularity. 

 Of their shapes let mc mention the very prim 

 symmetrical forms of the older types of Chinese 

 incurved and reflexed flowers. Mrs. Geo. Rundle 

 represents the former and Cullingfordii the lat- 

 ter ; and in contrast the varied forms of the 

 Japanese, some of which are as erratic and 

 grotesque to look on as though they were the 

 work of some juggler, as for instance. Excellent, 

 Comte de Geominy and Lilian B. Bird. There 

 ai'c other forms known and classified as Chinese 

 anemones and .lapanese anemones; the Pompons 

 having small flowers have also as many varied 

 forms among them. Within the past two years 

 a very different form or type has been given to 

 us from Japan direct, in Mrs. Alpheus Hardy 

 and Louis Boehmer. Yet another very distinct 

 form from Japan is one having flowers resemb- 

 ling in shape the Scotch Thistle and are distinctly 

 two colored, some having the upper parts yellow 

 and the lower red, others again have white bases 

 and pink tips. 



As to sizes, the smallest I know is one-third of 

 an inch in diameter and the largest I have seen 

 (on paper) is over 13 inches, and it is not rare to 

 see flowers over eight inches in diameter. 



The propagation of the Chrysanthemum is bj' 

 cuttings for perpetuation and by seed for the 

 proluction of new varieties. The Chrysanthe- 

 mum has one peculiarity in its sports, from 

 which we frequently get very distinct and 

 desirable colors, and what is most remarkable, 

 the old type of Chinese incurved kinds are more 

 prone to sport than are the Japanese or more 

 recent seedlings. One of the most remarkable 

 sports is Violet Tomlin, a rich plum purple of a 

 new shade, and this came from the Princess of 

 Wales, a nearly pure white kind. 



The raising of seedlings is very interesting, and 

 it is astonishing how many beautiful kinds one 

 obtains each season. To save seed it requires a 

 dry atmosphere and the florets must be pollen- 

 ized artiflcally. It is well to cut off the petals 

 close up to the stigma, for two reasons, first, 

 there is not so much surface to hold the moisture 

 and cause moulding, and secondly, the pollen is 

 easier applied to the stigma. When the seed is 

 ripe it should be carefully dried, then stored un- 

 til sowing time, which should be from January 

 to March. The seedlings grow rapidly and if 

 cared for will flower very satisfactorily the same 

 year. Seedlings require exactlv the same treat- 

 ment as plants from cuttings. 



Cnltivation There is no other plant that re- 

 sponds to good treatment as quickly. To get the 

 best results the plants must never suffer from 

 anj' cause from the time they commence to grow 

 until they have flowered. The Chrysanthemum 

 delights in rich well drained soil. It is injured by 

 too much and suffers equally from not having 

 enough water. It thrives in sunshine and re- 



quires room for development. Those who are 

 desirous of having very large flowers must re- 

 member that it pays to thin the flowers budS; 

 take from one-half to two-thirds off each plant. 



Some of the ways the Chrysanthemum is grown: 



First— As large plants in pots for exhibition 

 either as a bush plants or standard. 



Second— So as to grow very large flowers for 

 exhibition in a cut state. 



Third— For producing very fine flowers in large 

 quantities for sale or for home decoration. 



Fourth— Growing medium plants in pots for 

 market and conservatory decoration. 



Fifth— For decorating private gardens and 

 parks. 



It may seem strange but there are very few 

 varieties indeed that are suitable for all purposes 

 above mentioned. Then again there are many 

 varieties that do not thrive in all places. 



Orowing Specimen Flante. The man who 

 attempts to do this successfully must be con- 

 stantly with them, for one hour's neglect at any 

 period will be charged up to him long before 

 the first of November. 



It is best to put in cuttings at different times 

 from November to March. One of the greatest 

 troubles T have found with very early struck 

 cuttings is their liability to harden in February 

 and March. This occurs when the plants are 

 exposed to bright sunshine and to much 

 heat; as soon as the wood begins to ripen that 

 finishes it as a flne specimen. Of course plants 

 must not become pot bound at any stage, and 

 they must be pinched so as to break rightly or 

 they will be unshapely. 



As to training, I am sure that the fewer stakes 

 there are used and the less mechanical the train- 

 ing is, the better for the plant, as it is more 

 natural; for it must be remembered the Chrysan- 

 themum is somewhat of a rustic. 



When the plants are growing vigorously they 

 are benefitted by watering with liquid manure, 

 this should not be too strcmg, and if nitrate of 

 soda or sulphate of ammonia is used it should be 

 given in very small quantities and not too often. 



The disbudding and training must be as strictly 

 attended to as is the watering. When the plants 

 are housed they should be subjected to as little 

 artificial heat as is consistent with their needs. 



The growing of plants to produce exhibition 

 cut flowers may be proceeded with in three 

 ways. They may be grown in pots as for speci- 

 men plants, but without pinching, or they may 

 be planted in boxes 10 inches deep. A box three 

 feet long, a foot wide and 10 inches deep does 

 nicely for six plants. Such plants are allowed to 

 carry not more than three or four flowers each; 

 this is done by disbudding, pinching out the side 

 shoots and surplus wood. 



Another form of cultivation, is this: They are 

 planted on benches, from four to six inches deep 

 and from nine to eighteen inches apart, accord- 

 ing to the season of planting. If planted early 

 in June they are planted eighteen inches apart, 

 if in August nine inches, or even six inches suf- 

 fices. They are not pinched more than once, and 

 in many cases not at all. They are trained care- 

 fully to straight stakes and carry only one to 

 three flowers to each plant, and when marketed 

 they are cut with stems two or three feet long. 



The decoration of the garden with Chrysan- 

 themums is not as elaborate as we may expect it 

 to be at a very early date. The requirements 

 for the garden are rather exacting, as the plants 

 should be of sturdy growth, it should have thick 

 heavy bright foliage, it should have medium 

 sized distinctly colored flowers with short petals, 

 and of hardy constitutions, thus defying wind 

 and storm . 



When planting for garden decoration the plants 

 must have room for development. They should 

 be planted two and a half to three feet apart at 

 the least. They must have nutritious soil, suf- 

 ficient water is to be given them in dry weather, 

 they should be in a position where they will be 

 sheltered from heavy winds and under no cir- 

 cumstances forget to thin out a third of the 

 buds. Quite a number of my friends have their 

 " Snug Harbors " for Chrysanthemums. This is a 

 frame work of light strips and posts, covered 

 with canvas. The roof is also of canvas attached 

 to a roller. This is rolled up and down as re- 

 iiuired. It is astonishing how much frost is kept 

 out thus, and how many flowers are obtained. 



Commercially considered the Chrysanthemum 

 is now of as much importance as any other flower 

 in its season. Millions of plants are now sold 

 annually where but a few thausands were sold 

 ten years since. Good flowers of Chrysanthe- 

 mums realize as much as the finest Roses 



