126 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



power to assimilate, or when they are ready for an in- 

 creased supply. 



As has been said, it is often necessary to give pot-bound 

 plants liquid manures or other fertilizers. Liquid manures 

 are preferable, as they are safer to apply in liquid form 

 than are the so-called commercial or chemical fertilizers. 

 Liquid stable manure is suited for most plants and rarely 

 injures them after they have established a strong root 

 system. A bushel measure of solid manure dissolved 

 in one hundred gallons of water may be used for the 

 majority of plants. If plants are growing vigorously or 

 are strong feeders, like chrysanthemums, the bushel of 

 manure may be dissolved in fifty gallons of water with good 

 results. If soot is added in the proportion of one part 

 soot to ten parts manure, the color of the foliage of most 

 plants will be darkened and made vigorous. This mix- 

 ture should be stirred frequently and allowed to stand 

 several days before using. Nitrate of soda applied in 

 liquid form, is often beneficial in stimulating plants into 

 rapid growth. This should be applied carefully or the root 

 system will be injured. A level teaspoonful of nitrate of 

 soda to eight quarts of water will be sufficiently strong for 

 most plants. It should be thoroughly dissolved and 

 stirred before applying to the plants. 



98. Cultivation. Good plant growers realize the im- 

 portance of careful attention to soil cultivation. The sur- 

 face soil should not be allowed to bake, and it should be 

 stirred lightly as soon as it has partly dried out after each 

 heavy watering. This not only serves to conserve mois- 

 ture, but assists in aerating the soil and keeping it "sweet," 

 as florists express it. Weeds should never be allowed to 

 grow, and if kept in check early in the season, they rarely 

 cause any trouble. All plants should be carefully sup- 



