336 



HARD-STEMMED GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 



or cold regions. 5. My choice lias always been a trellis 

 of three galvanized wires, from four and a half to five 

 feet high. — George W. Campbell. 



FROM .-\ VETER.AN HORTICULTURIST. 



I. By cuttings if many plants are needed, or by layers 

 if only for a plant or two. For rare or very costly va- 

 rieties, by single eyes with bottom heat. 2. Preferably 

 in autumn after the foliage has fallen. 3. I make cut- 

 tings six to eight inches long, with not less than two eyes 

 apiece. Here (Van Euren county, Michigan) I plant in 

 spring, after they have calloused by being buried through 



the winter and early spring, with the butts upward, in a 

 warm exposure. We open a trench east and west ; slope 

 the north side, facing the mid-day sun ; lay the cuttings 

 against the slope, with the upper buds at the surface ; 

 cover with an inch of earth, and partially fill the trench 

 with well-rotted manure. If the weather is too dry, we 

 cover to the level of the surface with earth. 4. Prefer- 

 ably early spring ; in mild seasons, early fall. 5. Where 

 laying down and covering are necessary, I prefer an up- 

 right trellis with three wires ; in climates where laying 

 down is unnecessary, a horizontal trellis with four wires 

 will answer best. — T. T. Lyon. 



HARD-STEMMED GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 



SOME SPECIAL DIRECTION 

 (Continued from 



'OUNG hard-Stemmed greenhouse 

 plants should also be removed to 

 their winter quarters during the 

 autumn season, when large ones 

 are housed. During winter their 

 treatment is confined to watering 

 and airing. Give air as often as 

 the weather permits and remove 

 any damped-o£f shoots w i t h a 

 sharp knife as soon as noticed. This trouble spreads 

 very rapidly if not promptly treated. 



In April those plants which are strong enough are 

 shifted into larger pots. After potting keep the plants 

 close for a time, until they have rooted through the new 

 soil. Protect from the sun's hot rays for the first few 

 weeks after setting out, but shading is to be diminished, 

 and at last left off altogether. As the plants grow on, 

 they may be treated like older plants. 



The season for shifting begins in the latter part of 

 spring. All plants which are in small pots in proportion 

 to their size should be repotted into larger ones. Sickly 

 plants should be taken out of their pots and the soil 

 removed until healthy roots are found. Be careful that 

 no roots get broken; decayed parts should be cut off with 

 a sharp knife. The soil used in repotting hard-stemmed 

 greenhouse plants should always be adapted to their in- 

 dividual likings, but must be kept porous by the addition 

 of silver sand. The pots into which they are transferred 

 should be from two to five inches larger than the diameter 



S FOR THEIR CULTURE. 

 March issue.) 



of the ball of earth clinging to their roots, so that a 

 supply of fresh soil may be given the plants. Drain the 

 pots well and upon the drainage place a layer of dead 

 leaves, moss or coarse peat. Fill in some soil upon this 

 and press it down firmly. Now set the plant's ball of 

 roots upon the soil, taking care that it is neither too high 

 nor too low. The new soil filled in about the roots should 

 cover the upper roots about one inch, and the surface of 

 this .soil should be an inch or more below the rim of the 

 pot. In top-dressing those plants which do not require 

 repotting, loosen the surface of the soil until roots appear ; 

 then remove the loose soil and replace it with new and 

 fresh compost, which must be well crowded down. Look 

 the plants over, cut out all dead branches and pick off 

 dry and yellow leaves. 



The hardier kinds of plants may be placed in the open 

 air the second week in June. Prepare beds of ashes or 

 gravel for plunging the pots in up to their rims. These 

 beds shojld be about 12 inches deep, and raised above 

 the level of the soil, to allow water to run off without 

 hindrance. Choose an open space for them, where they 

 will not be shaded by trees or buildings, but exposed 

 to the sun. They should be arranged in rows, three rows 

 to each bed, so that water maybe given them easily. If 

 plants of small size only are to be plunged, five and even 

 six rows may be planted in one bed. It is a great pro- 

 tection to the plants if there is a wall or high hedge not 

 far from these beds, to protect them from winds. Shade 

 the plants during midday for the first few days, or the sun 



