CHAPTER IL 



STOCK PLANTS. 



At the close of the flowering season the old plants must be saved for 

 .-stock, from which to propagate young plants for another year's use. Each 

 grower should decide how many will be required and provide the most 

 suitable situation for their maintenance. 



The 'amateur will need only two or three of a kind, while the com- 

 mercial florist may need several thousand of the most popular sorts to 

 meet his demand. Some varieties are more susceptible of being increased 

 than others, making cuttings abundantly and rooting freely. 



Those who propagate for their own use only, should keep the plants 

 in a low temperature, just above freezing, and even a few degrees of frost 

 will not materially injure them. They thrive best when kept on the dry 

 ;side during the dark days of winter, at which time they are rather In- 

 active. The florist who requires quantities for early distribution will be 

 obliged to give higher temperature, about 50 degrees ; and their needs 

 for water should be carefully considered, avoiding, if possible, too abund- 

 ant and frequent use, as such a course tends to weaken the plants, thus 

 giving sickly cuttings. 



Another plan adopted by many private gardeners and those requiring 

 only a limited number of plants, is to root sufficient cuttings in November 

 and dispense with the old stock plants. 



Early Propagation Stock plants for early propagation are gener- 

 ally planted on greenhouse benches, producing successive crops of cut- 

 tings. With the new and scarce sorts it is sometimes advisable to take 

 cuttings even as early as September or October, and, as soon as rooted, 

 these are planted in shallow boxes or upon the bench. When large enough, 

 the tops are taken off as cuttings. This induces the plants to make new 

 breaks, which are used for cuttings when of suitable size. 



Cold Frames The cold frame system is the most practical for those 

 who do not have greenhouses, and the wholesale florist who needs large 

 quantities of plants for June and July delivery will find them equally 

 serviceable. 



In the construction of cold frames, there is no objection to excavating 

 one or two feet, provided ample drainage can be secured; otherwise it is 

 best to make board frames and plant stock on the level or slightly ele- 

 vated so that no surplus moisture will remain about the roots. Stock thus 

 stored should be protected by covering the frames with boards. To pre- 

 vent continual freezing and thawing, these frames must be covered with 

 coarse manure or litter. Most varieties are not injured by freezing, pro- 

 vided they are kept in this condition until spring. 



Field Groivn Field grown stock is in every way more satisfactory 



