192 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



Floral Edition. 



a joint as near the base as possible and 

 upward through the joint. The stem 

 is then bent so that the incision rests 

 on a small mound of finely ijrepared 

 soil, and it is secured in place by means 

 of a suitably bent piece of wire. The 

 incised part of the stem is then covered 

 with a mixture of finely screened sand 

 and soil. When the layers have rooted 

 sufficiently they may be severed from 

 the parent, be potted into small pots, 

 nr planted in the cold frame in which, 

 with proper protection, they will sur- 

 vive the winter. 



Many kinds of seeds may now be 

 sown in the cold frame to be used as 

 flowering subjects for next year's 

 garden. Whether the stock is raised 



A banana tree grown in an ordinary living room 

 by Walter T. Ross, Picton, Ont. See page 193. 



sheltered position and place the frame 

 on light ground if possible. Ascertain 

 carefully that the position is high and 

 dry enough to escape the rains of early 

 fail, and the thaws of spring. Remeni- 

 ber that plants winter better when soil 

 and atmosphere is fairly dry. Having 

 placed the frame, carefully fork the 

 ground inside, at the same time adding 

 and mixing fifty per cent, of sand, rake 

 the surface finely, and finish it off by 

 smoothing with the back of a rake or 

 board. Your propagating bed is now 

 complete. In this you may insert cut- 

 tings or divisions of pansies and violas, 

 arabis, hardy chrysanthemums, aubre- 

 tia, and a host of similar subjects. 

 Many rare herbaceous plants may in 

 this way be propagated and preserved. 

 Remember that propagation must be 

 done while the temperature is still 

 favorable for growth, therefore you 

 cannot do it too quickly. See that the 

 right method is pursued, as for instance 

 in the case of the pansy and hardy 

 chrysanthemum. In these cases the 

 choice of cuttings is the most important 

 factor. Cuttings of these must be 

 taken from the base of the plant or 

 those portions Avhich spring directly 

 from the ground. The thick aerial 

 stems are usually hollow, therefore in- 

 ferior and almost worthless. If por- 

 tions of rooted plants are available they 

 will make equally as good plants as 

 those which strike as cuttings, provid- 

 ed that the portions are young and 

 vigorous. 



How to Layer Carnations. 



If you have a collection of valuable 

 border pinks (carnations) which are 

 liable to be killed by winter frosts, layer 

 them at once. Layering is a simple 

 operation and consists in selecting 

 strong grass (growths which spring 

 from the ground) not the flowering 

 stems. An oblique incision is made at 



from seed or bj' other means provision 

 must be made to protect the contents 

 of the frame from frost and at the same 

 lime allow sufficient light for the wel- 

 fare of the plants. During winter 

 manure banked against the sides of 

 the frame and a layer of straw on th'- 

 sash with a heavy mat as covering will 

 usually suffice for the purpose. The 

 mat and straw may be removed at any 

 favorable time to allow of light and 

 air being admitted. Try the experi- 

 ment of raising plants in this way, and 

 see how many beautiful and choice sub- 

 jects may be raised, which to buy, in thr 

 case of many amateurs, would be im 

 l)ossible. 



(To be continued in the September issue.) 



Conservatory and Greenhouse Construction 



GREENHOUSES may be built for 

 either a few dollars or for sev- 

 eral thousand dollars, depending 

 upon their size, form of construction 

 and the purses of those who own them. 

 Small greenhouses, constructed largeli^ 

 out of window frames and old lumber, 

 and heated by stoves, have been erected 

 at an expense of not over twenty-five to 

 fifty dollars, and have given surpris- 

 ingly good results, under the watchful, 

 earnest care of their owners. From 

 simple starts such as these some of our 

 largest greenhouses in Canada have 

 arisen. Up-to-date greenhouses and 

 conservatories of modern construction, 

 and with proper ventilating and heat- 

 ing facilities, cost from hundreds to 

 thousands of dollars, and are worth the 

 money. 



A greenhouse differs in construction 

 from an ordinary house. Its purpose is 

 different. An ordinary building is de- 

 signed mainly to provide comfortable 

 shelter from the elements. A green- 

 house is required to not only furnish 

 shelter for tender plants, but the most 

 favorable environment possible for de- 

 velopment and growth. In fact, it is 

 designed to overcome the laws of na- 

 ture, as without its aid nature would 

 prevent the production of tender plant.s 

 and vegetables in our cold climates at 

 the seasons of year when greenhouses 

 are in use. Thus it is essential that the 

 greatest care shall be taken to ensure 

 obtaining the highest possible degree 

 of efficiency in the new greenhouse, 

 when the construction of one is under 

 contemplation. 



Whether one desires to build a large 

 greenhouse or only a small one, which 

 may be enjoyed as a family luxury in 

 the modest home, the points to be con- 

 sidered are much the same in character. 

 Aim always to use the best available 

 materials, to install a reliable heating 

 system, provide for thorough ventila- 

 tion and look carefully to the interior 

 arrangement so as to facilitate work 

 among the plants, and reduce labor 



after the greenhouse has been com- 

 pleted. 



The Scriptural warning a gains* 

 building a house on sand applies to the 

 foundation of the greenhouse or con- 

 servatory. See that it is made of sub- 

 stantial material. The frame work can 

 never be depended upon if the founda- 

 tion is not secure. The best materials 

 are stone, brick or concrete. Local con- 

 ditions should determine which of these 

 it is desirable to use. See that the ma- 

 terial is not skimped, and that the work 

 of construction is well done. 



If your means permit, erect an iron 

 or steel frame. They are more durable, 

 ^^nthstand the elements better, admit 

 the light more freely, and in every way 

 give better satisfaction. Where it is 

 deemed necessary to use wood in the . 

 frame, excellent results may be ob- \ 

 tained from the use of cypress. This ■ 

 wood wears well and is admirably suit- 

 ed for such a purpose. See that th.^ 

 stock is carefulh' selected. 



The construction of greenhouses has 

 become such an important industry that 

 information concerning the best ^ 

 methods of construction and cost are 

 readily available. It is not safe to trust 

 the work to an ordinary carpenter or 

 architect. They probably have had lit- 

 tle or no experience in the construction 

 of such houses. They are seldom will- 

 ing, however, to confess their ignor- 

 ance, and generally will undertake to 

 build a greenhouse when asked to do 

 so. Their lack of knowledge of tho 

 importance of light, ventilation and 

 modern bracing methods, generally 

 leads them to construct buildings of 

 too heavj' material, and lacking in 

 many of the essentials of a good green- 

 house. It is possible to purchase the 

 necessary materials, with such com- 

 plete plans for its construction, that it 

 is a comparatively simple matter for 

 even an amateur to erect a greenhouse 

 Avhen the materials have been received. 

 This method saves much time and 

 worry to the would-be builder, where 



