302 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



quire much protection, they are bene- 

 fited by the fertilizing efTorl of a manure 

 mulch. 



Make a compost heap oi the fallen 

 leaves. Leaf mold is not rich in plant 

 food, but it is excellent for improving 

 the texture of the soil. You will ap- 

 preciate it when you come to make 

 flower beds and pot bulbs next fall. 



Tavo Mertensias 



Roderick Cameron, Niagara Falls, Ont. 



There are several varieties of the 

 mertensia in cultivation, of which Aler- 

 tensia Virginica, also called Virginian 

 Cowslip, Blue-Bells, and Virginian 

 Lung-wort, is probably the showiest; 

 but on account of its short duration of 

 bloom, the preference must be given to 

 Mertensia Siberica. The foliage of Mer- 

 tensia Virginica dies down and the 

 plant disappears from view sliortly after 

 flowering. This necessitates the plants 

 being kept well staked, that their 

 whereabouts may be kept in view and 

 to prevent the destruction of the roots 

 when digging the border. On the other 

 hand, Mertensia Siberica lasts longer in 

 bloom, and it holds its foUage all 

 summer. The plants are taller and the 

 flowers lighter in color. The flowers of 

 the former are about an inch long, deep 

 blue, and are produced in clusters of 

 about 20 blooms each, drooping to one 

 side. The plants grow from one to two 

 feet high, and are among the choicest of 

 our garden perennials that belong to 

 the Borage Family. 



TKe yVmateur GreenKouse 



Virginian Cowslip 



The mertensias should be propagated 

 by seeds, sown soon after being ripe. 

 The roots will not divide well. The 

 planting of them may be done any time 

 after they die down, but not late in the 

 fall; better wait until early spring. A 

 few stones placed around the plants on 

 the surface of the ground is beneficial 

 to keep the roots cool and damp during 

 hot weather. 



ARE you growing palms in the green- 

 house? To induce a rapid growth 

 use nitrate of soda applied weakly 

 at first, and once or twice a month. 



more space between the pots contain- 

 ing those that have come on well. 

 Loosening the surface soil in the pots 

 is like hoeing or cultivating the soil 



The Table that Won Second Prize 



As your callas will be making plenty 

 of roots, do not stint the water supply. 



Keep the weeds down, as they encour- 

 age the red spider, aphids and other 

 insects. . If you are trying sweet peas 

 inside, look out for the Uttle green 

 worm and kill him, or trouble will 

 result. 



Keep the leaves of plants away 

 from the window glass. It doesn't 

 look well, and sharp frosts may injure 

 them. 



A small aquarium filled with aquatic 

 plants is a nice feature in the home 

 greenhouse. Gold fish in bowls also 

 can be kept there. 



Be continually on the watch for 

 aphids on roses. They are among the 

 worst pests of the greenhouse. Fumi- 

 gate as soon as they are seen. 



At this time of year, sow-bugs or 

 "wood lice" appear in numbers under 

 shelter of pots and other material. 

 Treat them with a mixture of com meal 

 and Paris green. 



Geranium cuttings are weakened if 

 the flower buds that appear on them 

 are allowed to open. Keep the buds 

 regularly picked off and the cuttings 

 will do well. Growers of bedding plants 

 who put their zonal geraniums into 

 two-inch pots in September should now 

 see that the plants are stood over and 

 that the surface of the soil is stirred. 

 This is easily done. All that are going 

 to root will have done so by this time. 

 Remove the dead ones so as to give 



in the outdoor garden. It allows the 

 air to enter and prevents too rapid 

 evaporation of moisture. 



Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, intended 

 for Christmas, will be sending up the 

 growth that will make it a serviceable 

 plant at that time. Now is a good 

 time to do the tying that is necessary. 

 Three or four small stakes may be used 

 and the plants surrounded with a 

 strand of silkoUne. Some growers pre- 

 fer one stake in the centre of the plant 

 and the branches supported by similar 

 material. 



Paper white narcissi should be in 

 now on the bench and in full Hght, 

 and where the temperature is about 

 50 deg. at night. Roman hyacinths, 

 also, should be in full light. They 

 should be allowed six weeks to come 

 into flower. Keep them where the 

 temperature is 60 deg. at night. 



Gloxinias may be grown in the window 

 garden, but they are better adapted to 

 greenhouse culture. They will not stand 

 varving conditions. They are sensitive 

 to cold weather and draughts. Water 

 should not be applied to the leaves. 

 Gloxinias must have plenty of light, a 

 uniform moist and warm atmosphere, 

 and protection from the direct rays of 

 the sun. The soil should be porous and 

 rich. 



All temporary structures, such as pot- 

 ting benches, that were prepared for 

 summer use outside, should be taken 

 down and the material stored away. 



