ACCESSORIES
The following list of implements and materials is suggestive rather than
imperative. While all these things are useful many successful flower
growers get along without many of them. At the same time, if one adds to
the garden outfit from time to time, the expense will hardly be noticed
and in the course of two or three years a fairly complete set will be
accumulated. Do not feel in the least that in the meantime you cannot
grow flowers successfully.
FOR MIXING SOIL
_Spade._ A good long-bladed sharp instrument should be procured, for use
both in taking up plants and in cutting out sod, etc., for the compost
heap and in "cutting down" the same for repiling.
_Hoe._ Get a long blade with a straight edge. See that the ferrule and
shank are of one piece if you do not want to be bothered with a loose
head.
_Sieve._ For small amounts of soil, an ordinary round coal ash sieve is
just the thing. It is a good thing to have as it will insure getting
soil for seeds and small pots to the proper degree of fineness.
_Trowel._ Don't buy a cheap trowel. They may be had for fifteen or
twenty cents but a fifty-cent one will outlast a dozen of these and not
break just when you need it most.
SOIL INGREDIENTS
A sufficient quantity of soil constituents should be kept on hand in
barrels or covered boxes. Store where they will not dry out.
_Rich Loam or Rotted Sod._ This is the basis of most plant soils. Keep a
good supply ahead, that it may be thoroughly decomposed.
_Sand._ What is known as "Builders' Sand," medium, coarse and gritty, is
the proper kind. Contrary to some horticultural superstitions, it makes
no difference what the color is, "silver" or gray, red, white or yellow.
_Leaf-mould._ Easily procured by scraping aside the top layer near some
stone wall or hollow in the woods where leaves collect and rot from year
to year.
_Sphagnum moss_ is another very valuable accessory. It can be gathered
in most swampy places or bought cheaply at the florist's.
_Peat._ Not obtainable in all localities, but it can be bought cheap
from florists. Found under mucky bog-swamps but must be thoroughly dried
and pulverized before use.
_Bone meal._ This is invaluable for enriching plant soil. (See page
19.) The fine sort, sometimes called bone flour, is the quickest acting.
For plants that stay potted for several years, it is best to use about
two-thirds of the coarse-ground.
FOR PLANTING AND TRANSPLANTING
_Transplanting fork._ This can be had in malleable iron for fifteen
cents and as it is not submitted to hard strains, like a trowel, will do
as well as the seventy-five-cent imported sorts. It will save the life
of innumerable seedlings, in lifting them from the seed box.
_Dibber._ You can make two or three of various sizes in a few minutes
from a piece of soft pine. They are used for pricking off and repotting.
It will often be convenient to have one end bluntly pointed and the
other rather flat.
_Sub-irrigation tray._ The use of this convenient method of watering is
described on page 24 and illustrated facing page 28. The tinsmith will
make you a tray for fifty or seventy-five cents. It will certainly pay
to have one if you attempt to grow many fine-seeded flowers.
_Watering can._ As this accessory is more used perhaps than any other,
and as the quality of the work it does is very important, it is poor
economy to buy a cheap one. The Wotherspoon type, sold by most seed
houses, is the best. It has brass fittings which will not rust, tighten
or rot out and a coarse and a fine brass nozzle with each pot. They
cost from two to three dollars, according to size, but are well worth
the money.
_Pots._ A good smooth red pot adds not a little to the looks of a plant.
For the ordinary collection of house plants three shapes, quite
distinct, are desirable: "Standard" the sort ordinarily seen; "Pans,"
very shallow for their width and used for bulbs, or ferns (facing p.
116); and "Rose" pots, or those exceptionally deep. The latter are good
for plants requiring large root room, such as single bulbs, or plants
demanding exceptionally thorough drainage.
_Bulb glasses._ These are constructed especially to support the bulb,
while permitting the roots to grow down into the water. They come in
different shapes and colors and are not expensive.
_Hanging baskets._ Attractive baskets can now be had cheaply. They are
made of wire, rustic work or earthenware, and no plant lover should be
without one or two, as they offer a most effective way of displaying
plants. Use picture wire to support them, as cord is apt to rot and
break. They should be hung so as to be easily taken down.
_Boxes._ While these may be homemade, as described on page 9, it is
often desirable to purchase one of the ornamental sorts now on the
market. Many of them are hideous, but there are artistically designed
ones. The "self-watering" box is a great labor-saver and well worth
getting where one can afford the investment, as they will last for
years.
FOR HANDLING PLANTS
In addition to the above there are a number of other devices often
convenient to use.
_Brackets_, frequently make possible the accommodation of a number of
extra plants and show them off to the best advantage, especially vines
and drooping plants. They are readily secured by screws to the window
casing.
_Pot-hangers_, can be had for a few cents each and used to convert pots
of any size into "Hanging baskets." They very often solve the problem of
what to do with a choice plant that is beginning to take up too much
room.
_Pot-covers_, made of water-proof material are now to be had in a great
assortment of styles and colors and are very useful, especially in
connection with potted plants used as gifts.
_Plant-stakes._ Often any old stake is used for supporting drooping
plants, such as fuchsias. A much better one can easily be made by taking
a round stick, say one-half or three-fourths of an inch in diameter and
boring small holes through it with a gimlet. Stout pieces of wire, of a
size that will fit snugly are inserted and twisted once around to
reinforce the wood. These may then be bent readily to any angle and thus
made to conform with needs of the particular plant being supported. If
one has a soldering outfit, the main stake may be made of heavy wire.
_Raffia._ This may be bought cheaply at the florist's and is much better
than twine for tying up plants and similar purposes, as it is soft and
broad--a dried, ribbon-like grass. It may be had stained green and with
green stakes makes the support of a plant practically invisible.
_Syringe._ If only a few plants are kept, a rubber bulb plant sprinkler
may do for syringing them. But if one wants to combat insects and keep
plants healthy with the least trouble, a small florist's brass syringe
will prove a good investment. With ordinary care they will last a
lifetime. It will also be useful for applying insecticides in liquid
form.
_Fertilizers._ In addition to the chemicals, etc., described in Chapter
III, there are to be had concentrated plant foods in tablet form. These
are very convenient to use, and a box kept on hand will frequently prove
useful. If any number of plants are kept, however, an old metal pail and
a small dipper, for mixing and applying liquid manure, should have a
place in the tool outfit and be used frequently. Never apply liquid
manure when the soil is dry.
Part Two--Home Glass