The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-08-01
How TO Care FOR FLOWERS
Suggestions From a Specialist at
the Botanical Gardens.
Plants That Are Expected 30 Bios
som During the Winter Must Have
Certain Attention at This Time of
the Yenr- The ChrysRnthe e IN u mn.

som During the Winter Must Have
Certain Attention at This Time of
the Year The Chrysnnthemum'
.eyVhi.e there is a little let-up ia the
care the flowers demo nd said a hor1-
culturist Of the Botanical Gardens yesTer-
day. 1t is necessary that a good deal OF
attention should be given 10 those we in
tend for use in the house the coming fall
and winter. If we neglect this at this
time mistakes will be likely which proper
care would prevent. il given at the right
time. and which il viii be impossible 70
remedy later on. The time 20 train q
plant is while IL is developing. Then II Is
tractable. but after it has made much de-
veIopmeut il is difficult To manage. and
much Of its work Is wasted, because We
have to sacrifice more OF less Of its
growth ia our attempt TO bring II under
our control. BY taking the plant in hand
while small and young We can make IL
grow 10 suit Us. and All its growth will
BE- along the right line: therefore. there
will be-, no vitality expended uselessly, or,
IN other wEds, wasted.
spcaking6f flowers which need special
attention during the month of August
the foriculturIst said: do not pinch back
INC CIV ~tlllAlAtllIAlAS al ttl <h--ls0AH 'Ntt
keep the soil light and begin TO use "a
liquid fertilizer. sparingsy at first then
increasing the strength and frequency as
the weeks go by.
"A good liquid fertilizer is made by
soaking manure from the COW stable or
poultry yard Pour two quarts Of boiling
water over about one pint Of drippings
and when il is cool. add one gallon Of cold
water. After it has settled pour of the
water and use. Use il IN the evening az
ter the plants have been watered. once
a week at first then twice week, and
By October three or four times a week"
Speaking about the culture of frcesias
the gardener said: "One great secret Of
successful freesla culture is the early
planting Of the bulbs. Plotting may be-
gin in July. but August Is the month be
vond which there should be no great de-
Law. though they will do well II not put
in later than the miudIe OF September
II postponed later. the best results in
most cases, Will not be realized. A five
inch pot is about the right size for six
bulbs. set around near the edge The
best soil is a hbrOus loan. but If this
cannot Doe had, take good garden soil and
mix 1t with half as much leaf mold and
enough sand 10 keep it porous. II "a small
quantity Of wood ashes can De added. the
compost viii be further improved Those
who cannot secure leaf mold. and there
are many such, caa use garden soil with
some old dry COW manure added, togeth-
CT with sand and some ashes.
set the bulbs so that when covered
there viii be al least an inch OF soil over
them. and underneath each bulb place a
layer Of sand. Press the soil around and
over them pretty firm. Now give the soil
very light watering, and then set the
pots away out OF doors IN the shade. and
cover them UP entirely with coal ashes
or sand AZ soon as the shoots begin TO
push, the pots should be placed in a cold
frame, or placed on veranda, or where
they will be under direct supervision and
care every day. They need the fun sun
shine and the soil 10 be moderately moist.
but heavy watering should be avoided
until the pots are well filled with roots.
Keep the plants IN the cold frames or in
the open as long as fine weather cOntin-