189? 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
843 
Planting Roses Under Glass. 
B. S. T., Ohio. —1. In planting greenhouse roses 
in benches, how deep should the soil be, and 
when should the plants be planted out? 2. How 
s drainage secured in a rose bench ? 
Ans — 1 The best depth of soil for 
roses planted out on a bench is five 
inches. Some florists use only three 
inches, some six. A disadvantage with 
the very shallow soil is that there is 
hardly depth enough to cover the ball 
of roots, unless the plant is very small. 
Another disadvantage is the rapid evap¬ 
oration, which must be repaired by con¬ 
stant watering. Planting is usually done 
in May, June and July, beginning with 
the benches which are most exhausted. 
The old plants are cleared out, all the 
soil removed, the boards lime-washed, 
and new soil put in. The first plants 
set out are usually from three-inch pots ; 
after June, from four-inch pots. 
2. Drainage is secured in the rose 
benches by using six-inch boards, which 
are not put close together, half-inch 
cracks being left between them. These 
cracks may be covered with a thin skin 
of sod, grass side down, or with clean 
straw, so that the earth will not sift 
through. Infilling, care should be taken 
to fill the soil in firm and level, espec¬ 
ially at the edges or in corners, tamping 
it down with a heavy board or brick. 
There is no need for crocks or other 
drainage, such as we put in flower pots, 
owing to the construction of the bench. 
Fertilizers for House Plants. 
M. M. B., West Fairview , Pa .—What is the best 
fertilizer for house plants ? 
Ans. —There are several preparations 
put up by fertilizer manufacturers for 
use in the house, which give good re¬ 
sults. But if the soil is well prepared 
beforehand, we think but little is needed 
in this line, beyond a slight stimulant 
during active growth, when there is 
danger of exhaustion. In the pot, the 
nourishment provided is all available 
and not likely to leach away. In pre¬ 
paring a compost for house plants, grain- 
fed cow manure, well rotted, so that it 
is no longer pasty, is the best material 
to mix with the soil, which may be 
further enriched by a dash of fine bone 
meal. This last substance is very valu¬ 
able for roses, carnations and, in fact, 
for most flowering plants, and may be 
added in a topdressing when further 
stimulants are desired. Nitrate of soda 
and ammonia are used in dilute liquid 
form as quick stimulants, but they need 
very great care in their application. 
They should never be applied when the 
soil is dry. Indeed, this is a safe rule to 
observe with all liquid manures ; if the 
soil is dry, it should first be watered with 
clear water, then with the liquid man¬ 
ure. If the stimulant is given while the 
soil is very dry, the plant suffers, just 
as an invalid would suffer from a very 
heavy meal. Either nitrate of soda or 
ammonia, used carelessly, will burn the 
surface roots. There is less danger in 
using a liquid fertilizer made from cow 
manure, one peck to a barrel of water, 
allowed to stand 24 hours before using, 
MOTHERS. —Be sure to use “Mrs. Wins- 
ow’s Soothing Syrup ” for your children 
ffhile Teething. It is the Best.— -Ado). 
or one-half peck of hen manure to the 
same amount of water. 
Horn shavings form a valuable fer¬ 
tilizer, especially for hanging-baskets or 
window-boxes, where the number of 
plants will soon exhaust the soil. They 
may be put in the bottom of the earth. 
But they are strong in ammonia, and 
must be used cautiously. It would ap¬ 
pear that most of the advice we offer 
consists of “ don’ts,” but this is not un- 
i called for, because more house plants 
are killed by kindness than by its re¬ 
verse. It does not necessarily follow 
that every plant making deficient growth 
is in need of stimulants ; very often the 
trouble is found in deficient root action, 
which may result from careless water¬ 
ing, improper potting, or several other 
causes, and to give such a plant a stimu¬ 
lant, is like trying to cure dyspepsia by 
a hearty meal. 
Soot-water is often used as a stimu¬ 
lant to flowering plants, and it usually 
deepens the color of the blooms. This 
is not always an advantage ; complaint 
has been made by some carnation grow¬ 
ers that pink flowers were deepened to 
an ugly brickish red when the soot was 
applied. While there is no doubt that 
chemicals may be applied to house 
plants, the danger of overdoing the dose 
is so marked that amateurs should ex¬ 
periment very carefully in this line. 
The Ginkgo Tree at St. Louis. 
The comment on the Ginkgo tree, 
page 710, reminds me that, as you doubt¬ 
less know, there is a fairly elaborate 
arboretum now at Shaw’s Gardens, in St. 
Louis, Mo., embracing all trees hardy in 
that climate. There are many beauti¬ 
ful specimens of all sizes, ages and sorts, 
and a thoroughly representative assort¬ 
ment. It seemed to me the last time 
I was there that the Ginkgo was entitled 
to the palm for grace, beauty, original¬ 
ity and charm, of all the trees of the 
forest there shown. I am sure that, if 
you could note its striking and graceful 
lines, as there seen in very many fine 
specimens, you would not describe it so 
coldly as you do on page 710. w. b. w. 
New Rochelle, N. Y. 
Seasonable Notes. 
The cold frame should now be banked 
with litter to keep the cold out, mats or 
shutters being used over the top. Plants 
that are expected to keep on growing, 
like violets, should receive air every 
bright day, the sashes being put on be¬ 
fore the sun goes down, so as to retain 
heat. The soil must be kept clean and 
frequently stirred between the plants. 
The frames will need little water, as the 
soil should be kept rather dry. They 
should be watered only early in the 
day, just as soon as the sashes are lifted, 
so that the plants may dry off before 
the frame is closed up again. 
So far, the season has been so mild 
and open in the neighborhood of New 
York that, 10 days before Christmas, the 
bulb beds were not sufficiently frozen to 
receive their winter mulch. Where this 
mulch is incautiously applied during the 
first hard frosts of November, there is 
always risk of starting top growth, which 
is afterwards cut down, weakening the 
bulbs. None of the tender shrubs has 
required protection yet. If not already 
applied, the littery manure may now be 
put over the herbaceous perennials. 
Evergreen plants are better covered by 
boughs from spruce, pine, or other simi¬ 
lar trees. 
Gladiolus bulbs may now be started 
for early flowering. A great many 
florists put a few of these bulbs in their 
carnation benches, planting them about 
one inch deep. They take up very little 
room, do not rob the soil sufficiently to 
harm the carnations, neither do they 
shade the other plants. Colville’s Gladi¬ 
olus is usually grown, both the type, 
deep flesh pink, slightly marked with 
pale purple, and its white form, The 
Bride, but early varieties of the ordin¬ 
ary garden Gladioli may also be grown. 
Another plant grown among carnations 
in the greenhouse, is the sweet pea. 
These are often sown in pots, in Novem¬ 
ber, and planted later in the carnation 
bed, in some position where they will 
get plenty of head room. After the be¬ 
ginning of February, the sun is stronger, 
and the carnations are flowering freely, 
so that there is the opportunity for such 
a catch-crop without detriment. Earlier 
in the winter even the slight shade given 
by the sweet peas would be objection¬ 
able, since every ray of light is needed 
by the main crop. 
After propagating cuttings from Ager- 
atums, Scarlet sage, Coleus, etc., throw 
the old plants out. There is no need to 
keep them, and they form a harbor and 
encouragement for Red spider, Mealy 
bugs, and all such vermin. It is a very 
great mistake to keep any useless old 
plant in winter. Give the young stock 
room to grow. 
Early next month, Chrysanthemums 
which were cut down after flowering 
may be brought into the greenhouse, and 
started into growth, for the purpose of 
making cuttings. They start up very 
easily, without much heat. The strong 
suckers from the bottom make fine cut¬ 
tings, but the upper shoots are good 
also. In making the cuttings, be sure 
that they are not allowed to flag before 
being put in the sand. 
There is a right chimney for 
every lamp. The Index gives 
you its Number. 
Your dealer should have it. 
HALL’S 
VeSet&bla Sicilian 
HAIRRENEWERJ 
Cleanses the scalp and 
puts new life into the 
hair. It restores the 
lost color to gray 
hair. It means 
youth and beauty. 
Write Macbeth Pittsburgh Pa 
Gan You Talk Business? 
Can you talk it to your neighbors - ! Can you talk 
it to other people whom you may meet? If you can 
and have a little time to spare we can put you in 
the way of making a great (leal of money (luring the 
winter. Pleasant, respectable and honorable em¬ 
ployment. Absolutely no cash outlay required. 
Exclusive territory to good men. Address. 
A. D., P. O. Box 301, Indianapolis, Indiana. 
THE MODERN 
STOVE POLISH 
No other polish 
has solarqe a sale 
None so good. 
J.L.Presco![&,Co.NEwYoRK | 
The U. S. Government 
buys only the best. When in the market for mer¬ 
chandise it obtains samples and submits them to 
rigid expert examination before placing its order. 
Since 1890 the Government has purchased MASON 
& HAMLIN 
ORGANS and PIANOS 
exclusively for the equipment of its Indian schools 
ns well as for the ships of the “White Squadron.” 
Wise men profit by the experience of others. The 
experience of the Government experts is available 
■for every one. 
MASON & HAMLIN CO., 
Boston, New York, Chicago and St. Eouis. 
SOLD! 
UNDER A 
Positive 
Guarantee 
to wash as clean as can bo 
done on the washboard, 
even to the wristbands and 
collar of the dirtiest shirt, 
and with much more ease. 
This applies to Terriff's 
Perfect Washer, which 
will be sent on trial at 
wholesale price. If not 
satisfactory, money will 
bo refunded. Agents 
wanted. For exclusive 
territory, terms* prices, 
write Portland Mfg. Co.,Boxl4, Portland, Mich. 
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t HAVE YOU SEEN 
J The New 
♦ Vandergrift 
♦ Rotary 
♦ Washer? 
X Guaranteed to run easier and 
^ do better work than any Ma- 
♦ chine ever placed on the 
♦ market. A good machine for 
♦ Agents to handle. Write for circular, price, etc. ' 
♦ Owned and made exclusively by 
♦ The VANDKiuiRi ft MFG. Co., Jamestown. N. Y. 
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WATCH AND CHAIN FOR ONE DAY’S WORK. 
'OpsxKsaoaa 
zac&GseaB. 
Boys and Girls can get a Nickel-Plated 
Watch, also a Chain and Charm for selling 
lW doz. Packages of Blulne at 10 cents each. 
Send your full address by return mail and 
_ we will forward the Blulne, post-paid, and 
r . large Premium List. No money required. 
BliUINB CO., Box 135 Concord Junction. Man. 
WIGS, 
Whiskers, Plays, Tricks and Novelties. Ill. 
Cat. free. C. E. Marshall Mfr., Lockport.N.Y 
r 
and skins wanted; good prices, honest assort 
ments and prompt returns. Price List free. 
J>\ E. PIERSON, West Groton, N. Y. 
-^ VICTORIES. ^ 
FOUR MEDALS—3 Gold and 1 Silver, World’s Centennial 
Cotton Expos ition, New Orleans. 1884. _ 
HIGHEST AWARDS—N ebraska Agricultural Fair , 1887. 
DIPLOMA—Alabama Agr’l Society, Montgomery, 1888. 
GOttFO RT 
AWARD— Chattahoochie 
bus, Ga., 1888. 
Valley Exposition, Colum- 
HIGHEST AWARDS—St. Louis Agricultural and 
MechanicalJIssqciaUon, 1889.__ 
GOLD MEDALS and 6 DIPLOMAS—World’s Colum¬ 
bian Exposition, C hicago, 18 93._ 
HIGHEST AWARDS—Western Fair Association, Lon¬ 
don, Canada, 1893._ 
SIX GOL D M E DALS a nd Diplo mas—Cal. Mi dwinter Fair '94. 
SILVER MEDAL—Industrial Exposition. Toronto, Canada, 1895. 
345,584 Home Comfort Kanges Sold to Jan. lt<t, ! 97 
Hr Range illustrated sold throughout the United States and 
the Canadas at a uni form price from our ow n wagons. 
Made of open hearth, cold rolled steel-plate and malleable 
iron —will last a life-time with ordinary care. 
VIRGINIA FARMS 
for Sale. Large and small. CATALOGUK 1'Kfc.l!.. 
K. B. CHAKEIN & CO. (Ino.), Richmond, Va, 
WROUGHT IRON RANGE CO., 
Founded 1864 Paid up Capital Sl.OOO.OOO. 
Factories, Salesrooms and Offices: NT. J.OITIS, MO., and TORONTO, CANADA. 
Western Salesrooms and offices: DENVER, COLO. 
ITWe manufacture and carry a complete stock of notel Ranges and Kitchen goods; also the 
unequaled ROM E COMFORT STEEL FT RN ACES. Write for catalogue and prices. 
