Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-19
EARLY SPRING BEAUTIES.

NoW-keep an Eye on JACK frost
Starting Cuttings-Early Pansies-Culti-
waiting the Asters.
WRITTEN FOR THE DIsPATcH.i
April is the month when the indoer
plants can be placed outdoors during the
daytime to get a breath of fresh air; but
it is hardly safe to keep them there over
night, as late frosts may come Unexpectedly
and nip the swelling buds Nearly all of
the forced early spring flowers are now in
bloom, and the March cuttings should be so
far advanced that they can be planted in
the ground as soon as the soil is warm
enough. The seed boxes should also be
crowded with the young annuals, ready for
transplanting, but this work should not be
attempted until the warmth of spring has
made the soil and air of the proper temper
ature.
The young ANNALS are more tender than
| the potted plants and cuttings, and they
must be handled with the greatest careful
ness. 1t is time now to weed out the seed
boxes, destroying everything in them that
has the appearance of weeds, and the sickly,
poorly-developed flowers should net be
allowed to remain. They only absorb the
richness of the soil, and prevent the others
from reaching the full development Of their
powers and beauty.
How to Start Cutting.
It is rather late for starting cuttings Of
plants for outdoor culture, but if a friend
has given you slip from some fine speci-
men it is never too late to start it to growing
The method of starting the cuttings is very
simple, and can be learned by anyone.
Take shallow vessel, and put about two
inches of clear sand into it. Water it con-
tinually until the sand is thoroughly set
tied, and when it is hard and com pact place
the cuttings in it, and press the fine particles
closely around the stems with the fingers.
So far as these cuttings are concerned deep
planting is better than shallow, and it does
not matter if the cuttings touch the bottom
Of the vessel. The vessel can have a mum.
ber OF cuttings in it, and then they should
be kept in a warm room where an even tenn
perature OF heat can be maintained. There
are simply two things after this essential to
the growth of the cuttings-warmth and
water. The sand should never be allowed
to get dry, and it the evaporation goes on
rapidly it may be necessary to water it twice
day.
The forcing is somewhat hastened if q
pane of glass is placed over the box or ves-
sci, and in about one week roots ought to
begin to form. The cuttings should not be
made an inch or two of growth, and pushed
out five or six new leaves.
The Demand for Cut Flowers.
The great popularity of the aster has
brought into existence great number of
varieties but the few old standard ones still
hold their own as cut flowers, and cannot be
displaced by new, but not half so good,
novelties. Several hundred thousand are
annually sold in each of the leading cities
during the fall OF the year. In order to
make success a succession OF flowers
should be grown. the first crop beginning
very early and the other paintings extend |
ing nearly through the summer. The bulk |
of the crop is sown from the middle OF june
to the first of July, which will give quanti-
ties of the flowers in early autumn, when |
the demand is the greatest. In the middle |
of summer the demand for cut flowers of all |
kinds falls off considerably, and the crops |
OF flowers maturing at this season OF the year |
should be small.
Nature furnishes the woods and fields |
with all the flowers that one desires then,
and the florists products are not much in
demand.
The best varieties are the new Washing. |
ton, the Victoria and Truffaut's peony- flow
cred perfection. In reference to the colors,
about one-third of the whole crop should be |
rose, scarlet and crimson, and the other two-
thirds pure white. There is always greater |
demand for the white than for the colored or
variegated varieties, and the demands of the |
market must be satisfied if one is to make |
the culture profitable.
Taking Care of the Pansies.
Early pansies must be started indoors in |
the seed boxes. and then they may be !
brought into bloom several weeks before
those planted in the garden. In an ordi I
Diary season they may be transplanted to the
garden by the middle of April, but on cold
nights they may need some covering spread
over the beds. The soil in the boxes shou Id
be made of fine garden soil, sifted through
a sieve, and on top Of this the seeds should
be sprinkled and pressed in gently. Keep
the box in the kitchen until the pSnsies show
their second leaf. when it should be removed
to a cooler place. When they have become
thoroughly rooted transplant them to larger
boxes and keep them in q cool place until
ready for the garden.
Pansies will do better if grown in boxes
even at this late date. for they have better
attention and temperature indoors than out
doors in early spring. Pansies need heat
and moisture more than richness Of soil, and
these should be given to them when trans
planted to the garden.
HELEN WHARBURDoN.
LESSONS OF ARB0R DAY.