PEAT MOSS FOR NURSERYMEN AND GREENHOUSE KEEPERS 
Many nurserymen and greenhouse keepers are apparently missing the 
advantages to be derived from the use of peat moss. 
It is a well known fact that soil cannot be kept in good workable 
condition without the constant addition of some form‘of vegetable matter. 
Stable Manure will do this if a sufficient supply of well composted 
material is available,but usually it is not, For this reason farmers 
resort to cover crops or catch crops which they plow under year after 
year,but this recourse is not open to those who farm under glass or 
who use their soil the year around. Any farmer to-day who would attempt 
to grow things without maintaining the organic content of his soil would 
be making a useless struggle. 
Some nurserymen and greenhouse keepers are fully aware of the need 
of organic matter in the soil,but many are not. Examinations of the soil j 
in many greenhouses proved that no organic matter in any form is ever 
used. Such soil under the moist ,warm conditions of a greenhouse main¬ 
tains plant life fairly well if plentifully supplied with plant food. 
But plants grown under such conditions will not stand up when removed 
from the greenhouse. Such potting soil dries out quickly and becomes 
so hard that more moisture cannot be readily absorbed, Blowers grown 
in it lose their freshness,almost immediately when removed from the 
greenhouse,and the plants will not thrive.Many growers lose their repu¬ 
tation among florists for this reason. To prevent such a condition no 
other known substance is equal to German Peat Moss. 
We quote from an eminent authority: 
" As a propagating m edium,both for starting seeds and rooting cuttings 
peat moss is unquestionably~~without an equal. It supplies to perfection 
the requisite mechanical conditioiis-moisture holding capacity,drainage 
and aeration- to assure the highest possible results in the germination 
of seed and the formation of new roots from cuttings. And due to this 
peculiar stimulation of root development it is in a class by itself." 
For some plants pure natural peat moss is best- for most plants a mix¬ 
ture of equal amounts peatmoss and sand is better. For a few plants the 
peat moss should be neutralised. 
" As a forcing medium, for growing bulbs in bowls or plants in pans 
or pots,it has proven superior to everything else which has been tried. 
Thoroughly saturate the peat moss,allow the surplus moisture to drain 
off,fill the bowls nearly full and burry the bulbs up to their necks." 
Wether seeds are to be started under glass or out of doors,peat 
moss will render the work easier and much more certain.For the majority 
of seeds pure granulated peat moss is superior to a mixture or compost. * 
It consists of decayed 'vegetable matter which contains sufficient plant 
food to start the seedlings and to continue vigorous growth until they 
are old enough to transplant.There is no danger of infection with injur 
ious bacteria,the seedlings will make a more rapid growth and "the .danger 
of them being, attacked by a ” damping off 11 disease is lessened.* 1 
