10 



The Weekly Florists^ Review* 



Septembeb 0, 1900. 



PHIZE-WINNER5 IN PARADES. 



Two photographs are here reproduced 

 which show the successful manner in 

 which Adolph Brix, of St. Louis, Mo., 

 participated in recent street parades. 

 Such photographs may justly be con- 

 sidered valuable as testifying in various 

 ways, directly or indirectly, to the energy, 

 advertising ability, good taste and suc- 

 cess of the florist who designed the orig- 

 inals. The canopied float, which is deco- 

 rated — ' ' decorated ' ' is precisely the right 

 word, is it not? — by several living figures 

 as well as by the flowers, was used in the 

 business men's parade, August 11. The 

 automobile delivery Magon, with all its 

 graceful accessories, was used in the 

 "Made in St. Louis" parade, August 20. 



STOCKS FOR WINTER. 



We have been growing ton weeks' 

 stocks for a spring crop, but would like 

 to get them in for a fall crop and for 

 winter, if possible. Can the seed of 

 stocks be had now, planted in September, 

 and when will the crop be ready for 



HOUSING FIELD VIOLETS. 



Will you kindly give me, in an early 

 issue of the Eeview, full instructions as 

 to the planting of violets? A. B. C. 



This query, coming now, must of 

 course refer to violets grown outdoors 

 during the summer, a practice that the 

 larger growers have long since abandoned, 

 as a rule, having found that growing 

 them in the house all summer is a much 

 better way. Having grown them out- 

 doors, you will want to put your house in 

 shape at once, if you have not already 



Motor Delivery Car of A. Brix, St. Louis, Decorated for a Parade. 



market ? Please give 

 directions. 



us brief cultural 

 W.&R. 



Seeds of stocks can be had now. Sow 

 at once in flats in a frame or cool house. 

 Pot off into 2y2-inch pots when of suf- 

 ficient size and they will be ready to fol- 

 low chrysanthemums. You cannot get 

 these in for Christmas, but they will come 

 in useful during January and February; 

 possibly a few may be had at the end of 

 December. A temperature of 45 to 50 

 degrees at night suits them. You must 

 not exceed these figures, however. 



Pull out single-flowering plants as soon 

 as you can detect them (they are of 

 little value), in order to give doubles 

 ample room. A similar soil to that used 

 for mums and carnations will be all right. 

 Give thorn full sunshine and abundant 

 ventilation. C. W. 



done so, and get the plants in as soon 

 as possible. This applies to the double 

 varieties; many growers think it best to 

 leave the single variety out as late as 

 possible. 



Before taking the soil into the house — 

 if you have not already taken it in — be 

 sure to fumigate the house thoroughly 

 with sulphur, giving it a good, strong 

 dose and keeping it closed all night, thus 

 sweetening the house as well as killing all 

 the "live stock" possible, in the way of 

 sow bugs, centipeds, snails, etc., of which 

 there is usually a more or less abundant 

 supply. Do not neglect to use plenty of 

 lime, dusted freely under the benches, in 

 the paths, etc. The moisture in the soil, 

 etc., is usually sufficient to slake it, 

 making it more effective than if air- 

 slaked lime is used. Of course, before 

 bringing in the soil, you sprayed the 

 benches or borders with freshly slaked 

 lime while it was hot. 



Before lifting the plants, the house 

 should be well shaded, and should be kept 

 so for a few days, until the plants have 

 become established and commenced to 

 grow, and then the shade should be grad- 

 ually thinned off and entirely removed in 

 a few days, so that the plants may make 

 a sturdy, healthy, strong growth before 

 the short, cloudy days of fall and winter 

 come on. 



See that the plants are lifted with care, 

 retaining a good sized ball of earth if 

 possible, and do not get soil in the 

 crowns, or crack the leaves or stems. 

 Clean them of all old, yellow foliage ami 

 runners, also the flower buds now show- 

 ing, cutting them off cleanly with a sharp 

 knife. Do not pull them off, thus tearing 

 and breaking the plant more or less and 

 so putting it in good condition for rot 

 and disease. 



Having firmed the plants well in place, 

 follow after a short interval of time with 

 the hose, settling the earth well into 

 place about the roots, taking care not 

 to have the water turned on too hard. 

 Also at this time wash out the crowns 

 thoroughly, to remove any loose soil that 

 may have rattled in more or less, despite 

 your care to prevent this from happening. 

 This first watering should be thorough, 

 so that all that will be required for the 

 next few days will be to keep the air 

 well moistened with a fine, misty spray 

 during the warm, sunny parts of the day, 

 so as to keep the plants from wilting and 

 drooping. Of course, watering is a par- 

 ticular job, to be done with great dis- 

 cretion, and the conditions obtaining out- 

 doors at planting time largely control 

 your work with the hose. Much good 

 judgment must be used. 



SMILAX AND ASPARAGUS. 



Will you please tell us whether or not 

 it is profitable to move smilax and as- 

 paragus into new quarters at this sea- 

 son? G.T. 



It would be possible to lift both smi- 

 lax and asparagus if not more than one 

 year old, but it is more profitable to 

 jilant young stock. Ribes. 



Industrial Parade Float Decorated by A. Brix, St. Louis. 



