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j The Greenhouse, Month to Month \ 
J By W. R. Fowkes, New York. | 
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CHRYSANTHEMUMS have two exceptional 
merits at a season when Nature has clothed her- 
self in gray, they produce an almost endless 
variety of color and to this may be added a wonderful 
readiness to adapt themselves to the most dismal and 
smooty surroundings of our manufacturing centres. 
Few things are more encouraging to the flower lover 
than to take a peek into the houses of the wealthy 
class at the 'mum season, whose well known conserva- 
tories contain all kinds and varieties. Many an ama- 
teur has had his or her wish gratified by being able to 
grow a few in a small structure through tlie benefit of 
such a visit. 
The culture is so simple that if followed with ordi- 
Jiary care the pleasure can be derived easily. It ought 
to be borne in mind the season of growth is compara- 
tively short, and hence the plants must be given cor- 
rect treatment. The chrysanthemums resent over- 
much moisture at the roots and Ijeing now in their 
flowering pots or bench due care must be taken with 
watering. A congenial atmosphere must be obtained 
by damping the floors, also the space outside the green- 
houses, in order to keep insects away. Temperature at 
this time cannot be perfectly kept, but give all air pos- 
sible day and night. Tie up as they grow and twice 
weekly syringe them with weak soot water; it will 
tone up the fleshy leaves and keep health and vigor. 
No stimulants are yet required. The soil, in fact, 
should contain suitable food and in addition it must 
serve as a sort of store for stimulants that will be given 
from time to time later on. The Anemone, Pompon 
and the bush chrysanthemums require a pinch to keep 
bushy. The large blooming varieties only require to 
be kept steadily growing. 
Cyclamens in pans should be shaded during bright 
sunshine and sprayed several times daily in hot 
weather and exposed at night to the dew. The larger 
of the three inch plants should be placed in five inch 
pots and if extra specimens are required, place them in 
seven inch pots. The compost should be light and 
porous. Well drain the pots and in the final potting 
soil a light sprinkling of soot should be given, as they 
are very partial to it. 
The fires will now be dispensed with for several 
weeks, and for the most part all of the decorative plants 
such as Palms, Dracaenas, etc., wil be in and around 
the dwelling house, giving room for the greater devel- 
opment of the ornamental fruit trees. A grave error is 
to allow a tree to carry too many fruits. It is not un- 
usual to hear amateurs remark "I cannot explain why 
I had such an abundant crop last year and none this." 
Always bear in mind that a fruit tree has only a cer- 
tain amount of strength and if this strength is over- 
taxed the tree will necessarily suffer. Peaches and 
nectarines will give good crops for fifteen to twenty 
years. The watering is a very important matter and it 
is almost impossible to overwater at this period. A 
watering of sootwater once weekly will be beneficial 
now. 
Some people imagine that the flavor of forced fruit 
is inferior in quality to the outdoor grown, but this 
depends on the condition of growth and also the gath- 
ering of the fruits. The best time for gathering the 
fruit" is about four hours after the plants are watered. 
If watered in the morning the fruit should be gathered 
in the afternoon, or vice versa. If the fruit can be 
gathered during sunshine, so much the better. Never 
allow the fruit to remain on the tree until it is over- 
ripe, better gather it a day earlier and allow it to ripen 
off the tree. If these simple instructions are faithfully fol- 
lower the flavor of the fruit will be greatly assisted and 
improved. With reference to the last method of gath- 
ering the fruit, a few hints are advisable. Some grow- 
ers merely pluck with the hand and if it is to be con- 
sumed readily it is all right, but Peaches and Nectar- 
ines have shorter stalks than most fruits and often 
grow so near the shoot at the base of the fruit that 
they are easily injured if plucked in the ordinary man- 
ner. A better way to gather is to use a pair of grape 
scissors having fine points and just cut the fruit away 
from the shoot, for the fruit will not be in any way 
injured if this is carefully done. 
The rose house should be planted if not done ere 
this, and after planting keep all weeds picked off and 
tie each shoot loosely to the upright wire stake. Give 
one good watering to each plant and not to the entire 
bed or the soil will be sour before the new roots 'ramble 
in it. Spray each morning carefully. Heavy syring- 
ing should not yet be practiced, but a careful manipu- 
lation of the hose will be all that it necessary. The 
plants will require little attention for a few weeks be- 
3'ond keeping a healthy sweet atmosphere. Sprinkle 
a little air slaked lime under the benches on wet days, 
but always have a little air. The ventilators should 
be open day and night. Wider in the day and during 
summer — the plants have lots of air and lots of water 
until September. 
Castle Gould Celosias will charm the conservatory 
and give a grand display until frost, when they can be 
thrown out to make space for the palms again. 
Give Adiantum Farleyense and its companions, that 
are in full growth, and have the pots well filled with 
roots, an occasional feed, not every day, but once a 
week. It will help to maintain their healthy color and 
there is nothing better than a liquid made b}^ dissolving 
one ounce of Clay's Fertilizer in a gallon of water. It 
does not readily mix in cold water, but if mi.xed several 
hours before needed it will dissolve nicely. 
Caladiums must have good nourishment and to ob- 
tain a high color must have good culture. Clay's Fer- 
tilizer mixed with fine soil and sprinkled on each pot 
will be ideal. 
The June Cattleya Gaskelliana will be blooming this 
month and a little feed of cow manure liquid will assist 
the better development of the flowers. 
Any Cattleyas or the Dendrobiums that are not 
blooming and may be a little pale in color, will benefit 
greatly by being placed in the great open air sanitarium 
under the trees, protected from the burning rays of the 
sun. The}' will improve to a great degree by the end 
of summer and not be occupying space that the sum- 
mer plants require. 
Gardenias will require syringing to keep the mealy 
bug away ; therefore do not overwater at the roots, for 
the syringing will keep the soil moist enough. See, 
however, that the tops are dry at night ; do not put 
them to bed with wet clothes on. 
235 
