QUESTION DRAWER. 



Pruning* Shrubs. 



1058. Sir, — When and how should 

 shrubs be pruned ? 



Oleanders are best trimmed in the 

 summer after flowering, this gives them 

 a chance to make new growth. These 

 growths made in summer will flower the 

 ensuing summer if ripened well. Trim 

 them only when the size or shape of the 

 plant demands it. Roses, the hardy 

 varieties, should be pruned in the spring, 

 just as growth is beginning. The sever- 

 ity of the pruning must be varied ac- 

 cording to the habit of the rose ; strong 

 wooded varieties such as M. Dickson 

 must be left quite long or no bloom will 

 be the result, while weak growers, such 

 as Louis Van Houtte, should be short- 

 ened down to a few eyes. 



Tuberous Begonias. 



1059. Sir, — What is the best method of 

 treating tuberous Begonias. 



Start the bulbs into growth in March 

 or April ; it is best to wait till they show 

 signs of starting of their own accord. A 

 little bottom heat will start them more 

 quickly, a temperature of 60 to 65 de- 

 grees is best for the tuberous begonia. 

 If grown in a house or greenhouse they 

 should be protected from the direct rays 

 of the sun. In many parks in the United 

 States these plants are used for bedding 

 in the open air with great satisfaction, 

 we have never heard of them being very 

 successful in Canada. The tubers are 

 stored over winter in boxes of light soil 

 or sawdust and kept in a temperature 

 not too high but secure from frost. An 

 eminently successful American grower 

 of these plants claims that the tubers 

 may be wintered over safely anywhere 

 that potatoes will keep well. 



Calla Lily. 



Calla Ethiopica will flower all the year 

 if frequently repotted and watered It 

 is usual to rest it during the summer 

 months, as a bulb so treated will produce 

 fewer leaves and a greater number of 

 flowers. The variety Little Gem de 

 mands a decided rest, in fact this seems 

 to be the secret of getting it to bloom 

 freely. 



Cineraria. 



1061. Sir, — What treatment would you 

 give the Cineraria after flowering ? 



A berth on the rubbish heap is always 

 recommended for the Cineraria after it 

 has flowered. Young plants must be 

 raised from seed each year. 



Gladioli. 



1062. Sir,— Do Gladioli degenerate after 

 being grown a year or two ? 



Gladioli are generally supposed to 

 produce poorer flowers when the same 

 bulb has flowered several years in suc- 

 cession. Young bulblets taken from the 

 base of the parent bulbs and grown on 

 is the best way to put new vigor into a 

 collection that is degenerating. 



Heliotrope. 



1063. Sir, — What is wrong when leaves 

 of heliotrope turn brown 1 



The leaves turning brown is very 

 likely what is commonly known as 

 "rust," this seldom makes its appear- 

 ance when the roots have sufficient pot 

 room. The only cure for it is to induce 

 a strong new growth. 



1060. Sir,— How should the Calla Lily 

 be treated in summer ? 



Growing Chestnuts. 



1064. Sir, — How are chestnuts to~be 

 managed to have them grow ? .^J 



A SCBSCRIBER. m 



We presume our correspondent refers 

 to chestnut seed. These should be 

 gathered as soon as ripe in the autumn, 



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