1905.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT— No. 33. 1(.9 



placed separately, the creeping stems will invade each other's 

 territory, and result in mixing the varieties when the cut- 

 tings are taken. The boxes should be aftbrded a reasonably 

 good place in a cool greenhouse, where the sun may reach 

 them, so they do not have a soft, spindly growth, a condi- 

 tion exceedingly detrimental to future success. 



Propagating commences in February, or much earlier 

 when any special variety is to be considerably increased. 

 After two batches of cuttings have been rooted, the boxes 

 containing the stock plants may be thrown away, depending 

 upon the newly propagated plants for future cuttings. From 

 the earlier-rooted cuttings the varieties suitable for pot plants 

 are selected, and are potted on as their needs demand. For 

 the general stock for benching, or, in other words, for the 

 cut flowers, the best time to propagate is from April 15 to 

 May 1 ; thus suitable provision is made to have strong plants 

 in two and one-half or tliree inch pots by the time the season 

 arrives for planting. No specific date in this connection is 

 observed, some florists commencing to plant in May and 

 others late in July ; but when the propagating has taken 

 place at the previously mentioned date, the plants will be in 

 good condition from the 15th to the end of June. 



The question as to the advantages of solid beds or benches 

 is of some interest. Our experience has been in favor of 

 solid beds. We are, however, favored with a soil of a por- 

 ous character, and gravelly subsoil, which for solid beds 

 insures a good drainage, — a necessity for this crop. Wher- 

 ever one may secure similar conditions, it would seem ad- 

 visable to adopt this method, and thus avoid the expense of 

 building benches and keeping them in repair. 



The young plants are planted in rows eight inches apart 

 each w^ay, allowing two or three shoots to form, and thus 

 secure the same number of blooms from each plant. 



The soil used for benches and pot plants is a good, turfy 

 loam, and is composted the previous fall or in the early spring 

 of the same year. To three parts of soil is added one part 

 of well-rotted manure, with bone meal to the amount of ojie 

 quart to the barrowful of compost. To avoid fungous dis- 

 eases, keeping the plants in good health by careful culture 



