Title: The American florist : a weekly journal for the trade
Identifier: americanfloristw39amer (find matches)
Year: 1885 (1880s)
Authors: American Florists Company
Subjects: Floriculture; Florists
Publisher: Chicago : American Florist Company
Contributing Library: UMass Amherst Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries

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igoS. The American Florist. 51
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OUTING OF THE WASHINGTON FLORISTS' CLUB AT GREAT I'ALLS, JULY 23. Helenium pumilum is beginning to open its yellow flowers, borne on stout stems 2^4 feet high, which branch freely near the top, forming large clusters. It resembles H. Hoopesi but is smaller and eomes in flower between this variety and the late H. autumnale. All are used quite largely in the cut flower trade and ketp for a long time in water. Aster amellus Bessarabicus with light blue flowers of fair size, is a fine thing for cutting during August and Septem- ber or even later some years. The sprays are many flowered, 12 to IS inches high, according to whether it is given a dry or moist situation. It succeeds almost anywhere and in all soils, but gives best results in good, rich, moisture retaining ground. The plants should be divided every third or fourth year as the old center crowns are liable to decay and the younger plants produce stronger flow- er stems. Montbretias in variety are now in full flower and they \s\\\ continue until liard frost sets in. Such a useful subject de- serves to be planted largely in every part of the country, either for ornament or for cutting, and they may be left in the ground for an indefinite time, improving v\'ith every year. ' Very fair results may be expected the first season, but we do not get the number of flower spikes in succession as in old plantings where ear- lier and later growths are mixed up all through the bed. The bright flowers, yel- low, crimson or combinations of these are sure to please everybody and they are as duiable as a gladiolus when placed in water. The spikes are slender and graceful, many flowered and nearly al- ways with two, three or four side branches, slightly bent over near the top. K. Floriculture at a Missouri School. A visit paid to the training school for boys at Booneville. Mo., was a very pleasant and instructive one. Hillard Brewster has full charge of the floral department at this school. I noticed several copies of the American Florist around the greenhouses and the captain assured me it was a very instructive journal. There are two greenhouses, one in which the plants and palms are stored in winter and one in which carnations and chrysanthemums, smilax and Aspara- gus plumosns are grown. The arrange- ments of the lawns and flower beds are line. White Perfection, Enchantress, Harlo- warden and pink Enchantress carnations are grown. The stock is now in the field and looking tine and will be put into the house the latter part of August. They have found that two-thirds soil and one-third good rotten manure is a good compost and use the same soil for chrysanthemums. The varieties grown are: Ifayor Weaver, Modesta and Con- vention Hall, a fine white. A small house. lOxi^O. is used for raising lettuce and parsley. The houses are heated now by the electric plant. The boys under Captain Brewster will, if attentive, learn enough during their term here to hire out to practical florists. Captain Brew- ster cannot be given praise enough for his good work here. W. F. Greenhouse Plants In Summer. Many plants that tlirive in the green- house in winter benefit considerably by living an outdoor life from the middle of .Tune until the end of September, and nothing but good can accrue from it. pro- jirovidcd they are placed in suitable po- sitions. This tends to their longevity and general, all round improvement. The growth made in the open is robust and hard, which fits them to undergo and withstand adverse conditions. Many people possess tree ferns, large palms and musas, and a secluded, shel- tered and somewhat shady spot should he found for them. Direct sunshine af- fects palms by taring the leaves a dull yellow, though in some instances they revert to theii' original color when shaded. Groat care must be exercised in the se- lection of a site for the tree ferns, some- where between belts of shrubbery, which will efEectually break the force of the wind, and the plants must be securely fastened to prevent their being blown over. It is hardly necessary to say that due attention must be paid to watering, not forgetting that evaporation is much more rapid in the open than under the glass. The stems must be well sprayed daily and in very hot weather, morning and evening. Many ferns of comparativel.v small growth may find a place under- neath them, such as aspleniums, pterises and many others, Eucharises are usually given a rest after flowering, and full exposure to the sun will strengthen them considerablj', while the same applies to clerodendrons and stephanotis after their growth is completed, thoroughly matured and rip- ened wood being the result. Indian azaleas, vallotas. ericas, camellias aud oleanders should all be placed outdoors and the last named utilized in the decora- tive portion of the garden, as they bloom

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