Page:Descriptive and illustrated catalogue and manual of Royal Palm Nurseries (IA descriptiveillus1894roya).pdf/7



ITH THIS, our new Catalogue for 1894, we return thanks for the liberal patronage given us the past year, and hope our prompt and liberal filling of orders will merit the continuance of your trade.

Our stock is the largest we have ever grown, and is in very fine condition, the season having been entirely favorable, so that we have made our prices lower than ever before, and still keep up and improve upon the quality.

If this Catalogue does not interest you, kindly hand it to a friend who would appreciate it; or, if you wish more Catalogues, we will gladly send them free to any address.

Hoping to be favored during the coming season with your business, which will be carefully attended to, we are Yours sincerely, REASONER BROS.

“The Plants should, of course, be removed from the box as soon as possible after they reach their destination. Should they be in the least wilted, they should be placed in a shallow pan of lukewarm water with the packing moss still about the roots, and in half an hour they will be ready to pot. This treatment will increase vitality and vigor whether they be wilted or not. Large trees and shrubs from open ground may be simply “heeled-in” on the shady side of a building, the roots well watered, and if not set permanently for a week afterward they will be all the better for it.

“Potting.—At first, while plants are small, use pots one size larger than they were last removed from. As they increase in size they should be repotted when it is found that the pots are full of roots. This is best done when the plant has made its annual growth and just before it starts afresh. In using small pots it is only necessary to use a small piece of broken pot over the hole in the bottom, but when the size runs up to 5 or 6-inch, several pieces of pots, some pebbles and pieces of charcoal should be put it, that it may have ample drainage. Fill the pots with earth and plant, leaving about ½ to 1 inch of space to hold the water; water thoroughly, and place the plants in a sheltered position, where they will not be exposed to wind or sun, until they show signs of growth.

“Watering.—This is one of the most important points in the successful cultivation of all plants. During the growing season they should have enough water to keep the soil moist to the bottom of the pot, but should not be kept in a soggy state; plenty may be applied to the foliage at all times. During the winter the soil should be kept dryer, and in some cases nearly or quite dry. A plant will generally show when it needs water, and more are killed by over-watering than through lack of it.”