.14 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



Feb 



riiary. 1915 



This beautiful flower, th« Dictamus Fraxiiiella, is a hardy nerba<»ou8 perennial. The plant h«« 

 to be three years old before it will flower. When rubbed the leaves emit a, line odor. like that 



of a lemon peel. 



cactus (Epiphyllum truncatum), Howea 

 (Kentia) forsteriana, and H. Belmore- 

 ana, two beautiful palms ; the Boston 

 fern, Nephrolepis bostoniensis, with 

 many of its charming varieties, such as 

 Scottii and Whitmanii. The foregoing 

 list, although incomplete, will afford an 

 idea of the difference between temporary 

 and permanent decorative subjects, and 

 perhaps preclude disappointment to the 

 purchaser. 



HOME CARE OP PLANTS 



Having chosen your plants, observe 

 the following suggestions. Learn them 

 by heart. Light is essential to green 

 plants in that through its influence they 

 are alone able to assimilate their food . 

 Plants can only perform their functions 

 within certain limits of temperature. 

 Keep an eye on the thermometer, there 

 is a temperature called the pKJtimum, at 

 which the absorption of food materials 

 and consequent assimilation (under the 

 influence of light) and growth proceeds 

 more rapidly than at any other time. 

 The most favorable average tempera- 

 tures are 55-60 degrees F. by night, and 

 60-70 degrees F. by day. 



Fresh air is necessary , for from it 

 the plant extracts its carbon and some 

 of its oxygen (carbon dioxide) ; without 

 oxygen it cannot perform its life func- 

 tions. Do not forget this, but when 

 opening the windows do not create 

 draughts which chill. It is better for 

 cold air to be warmed by contact with 

 that of the room ere it reaches the plants, 

 therefore, ventilate carefully. Keep the 

 atmosphere charged with moisture ; it 

 prevents excessive transpiration of water 

 through the plant cells, especially at 

 night. Transpiration should be reduced 

 to a minimum at this time, as only dur- 



ing daylight is it of great importance in 

 promoting growth. 



Plants rest at night, and while rest- 

 ing their food is digested, the starch 

 they have formed by day is changed in 

 the leaf cells to sugar, this being the 

 first step in the formation of organic food 

 material. Pay careful attention to the 

 many details of potting, watering, spray- 

 ing, and fertilizing ; it is worth while, 

 as it will lead you to a study and eventu- 

 ally to a love of your beautiful plants. 

 Vou will soon understand their require- 

 ments, and learn from experience much 

 more than can be taught by word of 

 mouth or scrawl of f)en. 



Simple Sprays for House Plants 



John Gall, Inglewoed, Oil. 



The necessity of spraying to keep 

 down insect pests in connection with all 

 horticultural pursuits, becomes more ap- 

 parent every year. It is even more so 

 with the house plant on account of the 

 more unnatural conditions of its sur- 

 roundings, such as a dry atmosphere 

 produced by artificial heat and lighting, 

 or perhaps an impure atmosphere pro- 

 duced by gas fumes from stoves or gas 

 jets. The most frequent insect pest of 

 house plants is the aphis, commonly call- 

 ed green plant louse. Then we have the 

 red spider, thrip and many others. For 

 convenience and economy, I would re- 

 commend as a preventative to the ama- 

 teur grower the following sprays: Dis- 

 .solve one ounce of any kitchen soap in 

 a gallon of water. To this add a half 

 cupful of coal oil, keeping this well irri- 

 tated with the syringe while application 

 proceeds. This simple remedy is a won- 

 derful cleanser of foliage. 



It is a good idea to spray frequently 



with tepid water under ]>icssurc its a 

 preventative against insect pests. 



The spraying or syringing of plants 

 should te a distinct and separate opera- 

 tion from the watering proper. If the 

 two operations, watering at the roots 

 'and spraying, are attempted at the same 

 time, neither of them can be done suc- 

 cessfully. Hither the plants are sodden- 

 ed with too much water or perhaps miss- 

 ed altogether. Water the plants at the 

 roots as required first, then do the 

 spraying after. I have seen batches of 

 small plants and many fine sjjecimen 

 plants badly injured by careless applica- 

 tion of spray. A fine spray, thoroughly 

 applied so as not to miss anv part of 

 the plant, is better than a heavy appli- 

 cation only partially applied. 



If the foliage of plants in bloom has 

 "to be sprayed, it is best to spray from 

 underneath rather than over the top. The 

 moisture will then reach the part of the 

 foliage where inset^t pests are usually 

 found, and it will not injure the blooms 

 .so much as overhead spraying. An angle 

 nozzle on the syringe that will give an 

 up-cast spray is the best for this pur- 

 pose. 



For the application of liquid insecti- 

 cides, I would recommend the rubber 

 sprinkler as illustrated. It is one of the 

 best appliances for spraying a small col- 

 lection of plants. It is convenient, works 

 well, and is of moderate price. 



In spraying operations, as with every- 



A Simple Spraying Device fcr He vie Flfnl* 



thing else in connection with horticul- 

 tural of)erations, do not neglect doing it 

 until it is too late. "An ounce of pre- 

 vention is worth a fK>und of cure," and 

 when spraying, spray thoroughly. 



Garden Reminders 



This is the time of year the windbreak 

 of evergreen is enjoyed. 



Blue or white spruce trees on the lawn 

 are attractive now. 



Have you noticed the cheerful effect 

 of dogwood and golden willow on warm 

 days? 



Repa.T the sash and frames for hot 

 beds. They may be started up the latter 

 part of February. 



Put plenty of broken ■ pottery in all 

 pots over four inches in depth when 

 potting or repotting plants. This will 

 ensure good drainage, which is always 

 essential to plant growth. 



