Maecu 1, 1917. 



The Florists^ Review 



123 



liage, has been of great value to the hj- 

 bridists, who, by crossing it with other 

 strains derived from B. Boliviensis and 

 B. Veitchii, have produced a number of 

 varieties with a dwarf, compact habit, 

 but moderately sized and highly col- 

 ored flowers. 



The Wealth of New Colors. 



The foregoing species, the chief par- 

 ents of the present-day forms, in their 

 native habitats grow at an altitude of 

 11,000 to 13,000 feet. This, however, 

 does not signify that they are hardy in 

 our climate. It will be noticed that, 

 with the exception of the yellow-flow- 

 ered B. Pearcei, all the original species 

 have red, scarlet or crimson flowers; 

 yet the result of hybridizing and cross- 

 ing has been the production of progeny 

 showing many varieties of color, such 

 as white, pink, yellow, orange, crimson 

 and many intermediate shades. Veitch 

 & Sons, of England, and Crousse, of 

 France, were the pioneers in the work, 

 and when the small, drooping flowers 

 of the parents are compared with the 

 large, brilliant flowers of today, it seems 

 hardly credible that such magnificent 

 results could have been produced in a 

 little over thirty years. 



The cultivation of the tuberous bego- 

 nia is not difficult. The easiest way is 

 to purchase the young tubers from a 

 specialist and start them in February or 

 March in shallow boxes filled with sandy 

 loam. They should be placed far enough 

 apart to prevent matting and tangling 

 of the roots when taken up to be potted, 

 and should be kept at a temperature of 

 60 to 65 degrees. The plants are ready 

 for potting when the new shoots are 

 about two inches long. The soil should 

 consist of sandy loam and well-rotted 

 manure, in the proportion of four to 

 one. The size of the pots should vary 

 according to the tubers, but generally a 

 3-inch size is large enough for the first 

 potting. After potting, the watering 

 should be moderate, as excessive mois- 

 ture causes decay at the base. 



Flowering and Resting. 



A light, airy house and a temperature 

 of 55 to 60 degrees are necessary for the 

 best development. However, when the 

 flower buds begin to form it is advisable 

 to apply shade to the glass. This not 

 only improves the coloring of the flow- 

 ers, but also their keeping qualities. 



By the first of June all the plants 

 should be in their flowering pots. The 

 amount of water given at this time 

 should vary according to the weather 

 •iiid the growth. It is important, how- 

 i^;vor, to water in the morning, for if the 

 foliage is wet when the sun is powerful, 

 I'lowu blotches occur where the drops of 

 I'loisture have rested. To produce fine, 



nishy plants, early flower buds should 

 '"■ paiched off, so that the strength will 

 ii<> to the plant itself, and the leading 

 shoots should be removed to encourage 

 side growths from farther down the stem. 

 In order to bring forth showy specimens, 

 the growth should be stimulated by 

 reeding with liquid manure two or three 



imes a week. The liquid manure may 

 \>c made by suspending a half-bushel 

 sack of cow manure in a 50-gallon bar- 

 '<^1 of water. 



In October, when signs of ripening be- 

 yin to show, the water should be grad- 

 ually withheld until the growths decay, 

 ■■»ul the pots then should be placed on 

 I'leir sides under the benches in a green- 

 ''ouse at a temperature of 40 degrees; 



PURLINS 



Why We Use Angle Purlins in Place of Pipe 



0LL the Iron Frame houses, of all 

 kinds of construction, of all 

 kinds of greenhouse concerns— all 

 use angle iron purlins exclusively. 



It would seem, therefore, that angle 

 purlins are the best purlins. 



Because they are best, we use 

 them on both our Reconstructed Con- 

 struction and Half Iron Frame. 



In both constructions this makes 

 possible the direct screwing fast of 

 the roof bars directly to one of the 



HiicKitvfifs 



NEW YORK OFFICE 

 IWOBraariwiy 



flat faces of the purlin. Flat sur- 

 faces, as everybody knows, can be held 

 tightly in place, better than when 

 a round member is placed against a 

 flat one. 



That is just plain common sense. 



And another thing— all our column 

 fittings are bolted through and 

 through the column on both con- 

 structions. 



You know we go anywhere for 

 business — or to talk business. 



tP-pati-V ^ 



BENERAL OFFICES AND FACTORT, ELIZABETH. N. J. 

 BOSTON OFFICE 

 49 Fiteral St. 



PMILAOELPNIA OFFICE 

 40 Sa. ISMi Si. 



ROCHELLE 



Paper Pots and Dirt Bands — 5 years tested — 

 the best — the cheapest. For prices see largi^ 

 ailvt. paRc 102 this weeli's issnt — Samples 

 nee. F. W. Uochelle & Sons. Chester, N. .T. 



or the tubers may be taken out of the 

 pots and placed in dry sand in a cool 

 cellar. In either case, care must be 

 taken to prevent any moisture from 

 reaching the tubers during the resting 

 period. Tn the spring, as soon as the 

 tubers show signs of growth, they 

 should be potted. The best plants are 

 produced during the second year, al- 

 though they are good for several years. 

 (To be Continued.) 



Monticello, 111. — A new flower store 

 has been opened here under the name of 

 Avon Flower Shop. 



IF YOU WANT THE BEST 



GET A 



Paarce- built Breenhousa 



OEOROE PEARCE 



Tel. 9SS-H. 808 Tremont At*.. OBAHGK, N. J. 



Mwitloil Tht RerlfW wIict yog wrlt>. 



Portsmouth, O. — Louise Koenig, 1238 

 Second street, says the winter business 

 has been unusually good in spite of the 

 extroniely cold weather. P^'uneral work 

 lias been in greater demand than in any 

 I'veviouK year. 



