Evening star., 1938-07-02

iSHAAy), tHIS IOVc1y 80E0eu LOWef nus
quite an ancient history. The name
Of delphinium was bestowed upon this
species by the botanists Of ancient
Greece: in the 1eth century In France
1t was known - knights Spur; In
Italy. Is Little Spur"
James Kelway, one Of the foremost
Of the English propasationists, was
probably the first to visualize and sue
cessfully introduce this flower as one
which the florists could profitably ex-
ploit. In 1881 he introduced 18 named
varieties into commerce.
This important genus of the crow
foot family includes both perennial
and annual varities, the most popular
OF the ANIMALS being the larkspur. The
most popular known form is our gar
den delphinium. perennial. with
dense and sometimes branched spires
OF blossoms in . riot of attractive blue
shades. In the hybrids will be found
the lavenders. the purples and the
rose colors. The stalks attain various
heights, from feet to known In.
stances Of 3 feet or more.
THE fiorets tan individual flower of
dense group are Of five forms
the single, the semi-double. double,
clemAtis- -dowered and the ranunculus-
fowered. The spikes. bearers Of these
many forets, are classed a. cylindrical.
tapering, branching and belladonna. A
Characteristic Of many of the flowers
OF all the species is what is known a
the bee" very prominent in some
forms.
Many people who enjoy q variety Of
plant material in their gardens seem
loath to acquire . planting of this
queen among the garden perennials
They should not hesitate, for the
growing Of delphiniums is not neces-
sarily the work Of 4 specialist. Some
Of our most attractive strains have
been the work Of amateurs.
First, . deep, rich loan, well
drained, not too dry in the hot sum-
mer days and one which does not
hold excessive moisture during the
winter months. forms the successful
beginning for raising delphiniums. AS
an exposure to the full sun is an
essential requirement. q south or
southwest location is best. Protection
from the cold and winds from the
north likewise Is necessary.
A hole about 2 feet deep, filled
with 10 or II inches Of well-rotted
manure, gives you the setting for your
plant. This should be prepared in
the fall, as this win greatly enrich
the location during the winter and
form . prime location for your plant
in the spring. March being the ideal
time to set the plant In its perma.
nent bed.
A FTER the plant has been set out
dressing Of fertilizer in . liquid
form. given during April and May, is
Of great benefit to the plant. Be sure
the plants have plenty Of water and
that the soil is always kept loose
around them. A dressing Of lime.
especially II there Is An acid tendency
in the soil. should be made about once
= year. Probably the best way to
use lime is to get hold Of some old.
broken-up plaster and scatter this
around the plants.
While on the subject of fertilization
the best combination is composed Of
nitrogen (sulphate Of ammonia or nj
trate Of soda). phosphate acid tbone
meaD and potash (muriate of pot
ash). This should be mixed, by
weight, In the ratio Of 2-112-3.
Sheep manure also Is good. Do not
overfertilise and try to force the
blooms. Too large stalks will have
tendency to ruin the plant itself.
In the matter Of propagation 1t is
most important 10 remember that seed
will not produce true plants. If you
possess q variety which you prize, the
method to follow to increase your
stock is to work from cuttings or
root division.
The favored method employed when
you utilize cuttings Is to remove the
shoots early In the year when they
are about or ! inches high. Place
In 2i1-inch pots in q mixture Of soil
composed Of one part sand, one part
leaf mold and three parts light loan:
use powdered charcoal to heal the
part where you have cut. They should
take root in about three weeks, after
which. usually during April or the
first part Of May, they should be
planted out.
In dividing the roots wait until
the plant is about inches high, leav-
ing about three shoots to q division.
Pot, and when the division shows
signs Of coming through the opera
ton successfully. plant out.
A'A fully increased their stock Of
worthwhile varieties by the process
Of layerins. Along about June cut
the stems at the base and cover
with dirt. The following spring re-
move and plant out.
Well-established plants should be
pruned after they bloom. removing
all weak stems and leaving about
three to six, cut about 1 inches from
the ground. Later on toward fall
these plants viii produce . second
crop Of blooms.
Some growers, In order to have .
display Of blooms between the first
and second blooming periods Of the
older plants, SOW seed In an outdoor
frame. Plants from this seed are
ready to move by early fall and should