2 
P. J, Herckmans Company’s Plant Catalogue 
Plants and Their Care 
Preparation ol the Soil and Cultivation. —Borders or beds intended for plants should be well and 
deeply dug during winter or early spring, the soil well pulverized, and supplied with the necessary 
plant food. A compost of stable manure and cotton-seed, well decomposed and thoroughly incorpo¬ 
rated with the soil during winter, will be found highly beneficial. The plants should be firmly set, 
the ball of earth not disturbed, but, in case of the latter being wrapped in moss, the moss covering 
must be removed. When set, water copiously and shade for a few days, and place a mulch of cotton¬ 
seed, rice chaff or chopped straw around the plants. When fully in growth, keep the soil well worked 
and free from weeds, and remove the mulching. 
Time of Planting. — The tender bedding plants enumerated in this Catalogue must not be planted out 
in open ground until spring frosts are no longer to be apprehended. Although the stock of nearly all 
varieties is ready for shipment when this Catalogue is issued, we would particularly urge patrons not to 
order plants intended for bedding until they can be safely cared for on arrival. Those possessing green¬ 
houses or pits, or even ordinary coldframes, would, however, be benefited by ordering early in March. 
Care of Plants when Received. — The plants should be potted in pots a size larger than they have 
been grown in, set in a common coldframe or greenhouse, if possible, until they begin to grow freely. 
Shade and water must be used as needed. If the plants are required merely for the border, they can be 
planted in permanent place on receipt, if the weather is somewhat cloudy; but, in general, it is prefer¬ 
able to allow the plants to recuperate from the effects of the packing and carriage by being kept in a 
shady place for a few days. Plants are forwarded without pots; this is a saving of expressage to the 
buyer, and adds to the safety of carrying. 
Potting and Soil. — An equal proportion of leaf-mold and good loam, to which is added one-quarter 
of its bulk of cow manure, the whole mass allowed to stand a few weeks and thoroughly mixed, will suit 
almost all classes of plants. Decomposed sod, with a small quantity of manure, is also excellent, and if 
some bone-meal is added, the growth is increased. Plants should be repotted when needed, and given 
pots only one size larger than formerly used, and never shifted from a 3-inch to an 8- or 10-inch pot. 
Many failures arise from using pots of a size too large as compared to the size of the plant. Always use 
broken charcoal or potsherds in the bottom of all pots above 4 inches in diameter, to give free drainage. 
Never use saucers unless some gravel or fine cinders are placed under the pots to allow the water to 
escape freely, and never set the pots on a smooth surface unless means of drainage are provided by 
placing sand or gravel under the pots. 
Plants in Greenhouses. — The natural conditions of plant life include a period of growth succeeded 
by a period of rest, but all plants do not require rest at the same time, hence to attempt the same treat¬ 
ment for all classes must entail failure. A little experience is necessary when extensive collections of 
plants are cultivated, and brief directions for special treatment are therefore given under the heads of 
various classes. Normal conditions of heat , light, air and moisture should always be considered. Great 
variations of temperature between day and night, overwatering in winter, and especially when plants are 
in a dormant condition, must be avoided. Give free ventilation during the day whenever the outside 
temperature is not below 50 degrees. In winter water sparingly—two or three times a week will usually 
prove sufficient. In summer water more freely, but do not drown the plants, as is too often the case. 
If a plant shows signs of a weakened growth, or assumes an unhealthy color, withhold water and repot; 
the cause of unhealthy condition will often arise from imperfect drainage or overwatering. Use a weak 
solution of cow manure and water once or twice a week upon plants which are in full growth and during 
warm weather, but avoid all fertilizers during the period of rest. 
Plants in Dwelling Houses. — The atmosphere in dwelling houses is usually quite dry, and, therefore, 
different from that of greenhouses, where there is always considerable moisture. As evaporation is thus 
more rapid, plants should receive a daily supply of water, and in such quantity only as will keep their 
roots moist. This is especially advisable when plants have been brought from the greenhouse to the 
dwelling house. An occasional sponging or syringing of the foliage is necessary. 
Insects. — Few greenhouses may be said to be free from either of the following insects: viz., Green 
Fly or Aphis, Tlirip, Red Spider and Mealy Bug. Whenever plants are infested with any of the above, 
immediate measures for their destruction must be resorted to. 
FUNGICIDE AND INSECTICIDE SOLUTIONS AND FORMULAS 
Tobacco, 1 pound; boiling water, 3 gallons; strain when 
cool. Very effectivo when used as a spray against flea beetle, 
lice, aphides (plant lice). 
Bordeaux Mixture. Copper sulphate, 4 pounds; quick 
lime, 6 pounds; water, 50 gallons. Dissolve the copper sul¬ 
phate by putting it in a bag and hanging it in a wooden or 
earthen vessel holding at least 4 gallons; slake the lime in 
an equal quantity of water. Mix, and add sufficient quan¬ 
tity of water to make 50 gallons. It is then ready for use, 
but will not keep more than 24 hours. 
Pyrethrum Powder* For worms, flies and aphis. Use dry. 
Kerosene Emulsion. One-half pound of soap dissolved in 
1 gallon of water; add to this, while hot, 2 gallons of kero¬ 
sene. Churn violently with a spray pump or garden syringe 
until the mass becomes of the consistency of butter. Add 30 
gallons of water before using as a spray. Sour milk may be 
used instead of soap. For worms, mealy bugs, orange tree 
scale, etc. 
White Hellebore, 1 ounce; water 3 gallons. Effective as a 
spray for rose slugs. 
Thrip Juice, 1 part to 1,000 parts water. For mealy bugs, 
lice, etc. 
Flowers of Sulphur. Apply dry for mildew on roses. 
Lemon Oil. This is a valuable insecticide for all plants 
grown in greenhouses or pots. Plants should be dipped in a 
solution of suitable strength. While it kills all scale insects, 
it is not injurious to the most tender plant. 
Spraying.— We earnestly recommend the careful spraying of plants, using either of the above-named solutions. 
Effective apparatus of moderate cost are now manufactured for use in greenhouses. 
Shading.— To counteract the burning effects of the sun, use a coat of common whitewash upon the glass; or, if a 
lasting shade is required, use naphtha mixed with some white lead, and apply with a syringe. 
