"!Beaut!} 9'l-om !Bu[fr~" Scheepers' Tuberous Rooted BEGONIAS American grown bulbs • Shade loving plants • Easy to grow • Flower all Summer long from May to frost. Colorful leaves are added attraction ~ Our Superior Quality Bulbs will pro­ duce Heavy Strong Plants immediately

Gold Medal- Awarded us by the Garden Club of America

Double Ruffled Begonias

(New Improved Camellia type) This is the most popular type of all due to the exquisite formation of the flowers. They are excellent for planting in the border-in solid beds-or as specimen pot plants for patio decoration. Fine for window boxes too! Make excellent cut flowers. Available in tme following colors: Apricot Blush Red Yellow Ivory Pink White Mixed Colors

Multiflora Gigantea Begonias

(Many Flowers) Short sturdy growing plants that are covered with blooms all summer­ Selected Named Varieties flowers are not as large as the other types - but the compact plants make them ideal for edgings for the flower border or in pots. Available in mixture So fine were these special types that they were segregated and of pastel shades - all colors. named. Supply Limited. FROSTY. "'ink with white edge. RED TRIUMPH. This is a Camelia type bloom that has delight­ fully ruffled petals. Color is ruby-red with a velvety texture to Hanging Basket Begonias the bloom. Very beautiful. Delightful for p'i'azza and summer house decorations as well as the rockery SANTA BARBARA. Ruffled double yellow. and window boxes. Often hundreds of blossoms from each bulb: Available SANTA CLARA. Ruffled double apricot. in the following colors - all double flowers : SANTA MARGARITA. Ruffled double pink. Rose Pink Apricot White SANTA MARIA. Ruffled double pure white. Golden Yellow Dark Red Finest Mixture SANTA MONICA. Rose form salmon. SANTA TERESA. Ruffled double ivory. Any of the above named varieties are priced as follows: Picotee Begonias $8.50 for 5; $16.50 for 10; $40.00 for 25. Blooms are like Double Ruffled type except that they have a pencil thin stripe around each petal of the bloom. Very beautiful and attractive. Avail­ able in the following combinations. MIXTURE OF ALL TYPES White with red edge White pink edge This special mixture made up for each individual order Apricot with scarlet edge Finest mixture will contain Double Ruffled; Rosebud and Picotee types.

Any of the above Begonias are priced at: All colors. $6.50 for 5; $12.50 for 10; $6.50 for 5; $12.50 for 10; $30.00 for 25; $30.00 for 25; $115.00 for 100. (Wire Basket with hanger and moss liner available at $3.50 each)

DELIVERY: We can ship at once so that tubers may be started indoors, then planted later in the garden when frost is past. Or, we can ship at regular garden planting time. (Please indicate when we should ship your order.) Send for a copy of Scheepers' Spring 1973 Catalog: "Beauty from Bulbs," showing-Gladioli, Dahlias, Lilies, Begonias, Montbretias, Lycoris, Tuberoses, Hemerocalis, Iris, Ferns, Vines, Wild Flowers and miscellaneous bulbs. Color illustrated.

New Yark State Residents Delivery charges will be please include applicable JOHN SCHEEPERS, INC. billed after shipment is made. sales tax with remittance Telephone ':flown !Butb ~p.EciaLi1ti Telephone 212-422-1177 63 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10005 212-422-2299 "Serving America's Finest Gardens for over 60 years" THE GARDENS WHITE HOU5__ E ...-:. ,...

.' / Record I PielO/fa · (01'1' aN' A HfS .

It's more than a book, it's an investment in tradition. "the perfect gift for every library" Mrs. R. C. Tilke meier (past- President, State of Il lin o is Garden Club) THE WHITE HOUSE GARDENS is THE WHITE HOUSE GA RDENS ------, the fir st book ever published to trace is indeed "A delightful pictorial Pl ease enter my order fo r THE WHITE HOUSE GA RDENS the history of the most fa mo us garde ns reco rd" as Lloyd Goodrich (former 0 Please send --- copies of THE WHITE HOUSE in the United States while g ivin g you Director Whitney Museum) has written. GA RDENS. @ $ I 9.95 p.pd ., (H ardbound, 148 pgs., detai led illustra ti o ns o f how th ose 27 co lor plates. 20 b. & w. illustrati ons). gardens a re pla nned and wha t they In short, THE WHITE HOUS E 0 D eI uxe L II//It" ed Ed"ili on, h an d s'l gne d by t h e art .is t, H aro Id look like. GAR D ENS is a bea utifully wro ught, Sterner. wi th slipcase- $50.00 p.pd . ___ copies. exquisitely rende red me me nto of the o Descriptive Color brochure. Patricia Nixon writes in he r preface way o ur Presidents a nd their ladies Total ______to the book: (fro m the time of J o hn Ada ms to the Gift from ______This impressive volume is an present) pl a nned a nd imple mented a n Name ______artistic treasury . . . a comprehensive impo rta nt aspect of both their private reference . .. a vital document. a nd persona l li ves. Address ______With twenty-five full-co lor plate It is a boo k for everyone inte rested City ______State ____ Zip _ ___ reproductions o f H a ro ld Sterner's in a rt. in the apprecia ti o n of garde ns, 'Make check payable to: original botanical watercolors (drawn in the preservatio n o f United States Great American Editions Ltd . o n location a t The White H o use) . Histo ry. It is a book to keep in your I I I East 80th Street, N.Y.C. 1002 1 ra re engravings never before pub­ ho me, to pass o n to your chi ldre n, 'New York resi dents add 7"/0 Sales Tax 3 li shed . . a nd a text ri ch in histor­ and they to theirs. A Iso available at selected Bookstores ica l fact a nd Presidentia l a necd o te, ~------an editorial . .. .

Time to Stretch

Th e art and sc ience of growing vegetables, fruits, fl ow­ th e Ri ver Farm funded by a fede ral gra nt w hich is aimed at ering and orn amental pl ants-that's horticulture. In much of shakin g loose a threa d th at might lead to th e unrave ling of th e the world, horti culture ta kes pl ace in an orga nized area ca lled plant-man relationship. We gardeners, you and I, kn ow about a gard en. Gard ening is th e laying out or ca re of the ga rd en. this bu siness. We know how easy it is to shuck off hours of Horticulture and ga rd ening go hand in hand. When th e aggrava tion brought on by mi sunderstandings w ith other gardener is a skillful horti culturist th e ga rden wi ll be at its bes t. people and th eir inhuman machines by heading for th e gard en. Ga rd ens, over the ce ntur ie~ , have had one thi ng in Why, just a few minutes w ith a spade or w ith the dibble or w ith commo n. Th ey are places w here pl ants are made to grow. It the c lippers puts peopl e and their w retched mac hines back may have been-still may be-roses or herbs or flowers fo r into perspecti ve. Th ey may be a necessa ry part of da il y li ving, cutting or di spl ay beds and borders or fruits or vegetables. But but they have no part of us. O ur rea lity lies in our se lf­ there is so mething more. Th e gard en is a pl ace w here a human ex press'ion in th e gard en. spirit ca n ex press itse lf, ca n manipulate and arrange li ving, It seems safe to concl ude th at mental hea lth is related to responding bits of crea ti on to its own liking. Th ere's more to successful gard ening. W hen the gard en is deve loping well any garden th an just a ni ce view or a pretty bunch of flowers or w ho ca n be put down by those dai ly irritations th at are bound a bas ket of so mething fresh to eat. Th ere's an express ion of the to occur? O f course, if somethi ng goes haywire in the garden, gardener. that's anoth er thing! Th en there is cause for doing so mething. Do you suppose th at every human has buri ed w ithin him How do you in su re success in th e art and sc ience of a creati ve urge? Poets, painte rs, members of th e corps du horti culture? In the fiel d of ga rden in g? We have to face the fact ballet, grea t singers, and oth er creati ve people have found their th at art is art, and you have it or you don't. Bu t sc iences are outlet. Evidence is beg inning to ga th er w hich indica tes th at man-made and th e techniques of gardening ca n be lea rn ed, so even th ese arti sts, already blessed w ith an expressable art , find a little application ca n get you two-thirds of th e way toward an empath y with pl ants. And so do professional peopl e, success. Th e good gardener, the good horti culturist, is made by working peopl e, retired peopl e and children. Could it be th at stu dy. By practi ce. Th at's th e w ho le po int of a magaz ine such we all rea ll y are gard eners, are horticulturists, at heart ? Dec­ as ours. When you have to stretch a little to ge t th e mea n in g ades ago German medica l .psychiatri sts began using th e term from an article-perh aps use the dicti onary a time or two and Civiliza tionskrankheit (c ivilizati on-disease), a conditio n of maybe take a trip to a reference book-you are poli shing your nervous diso rd er, hypertension, malaise, and more. Th e cure techniques and refining your knowledge. Th e art may come. was, and is, quiet, orga nized, almost continuous contact with W e w ho already kn ow the pl easu res of gardening need to nature in rural pl aces. W alks through th e fi eld s, mountain expand our collecti o n of facts and lea rn better techn iqu es. We cl imbing, a day in th e forest pl antati ons, so me time in a are th e peopl e w ith a key to city problems. We kn ow how to mounta in meadow; these correct or allev iate nervous les ions bea t th e energy cri sis by fi nding pl easure in our gardens. We bro ught on by ci ty pressures. even ca n batter at th e high cost of food by raisi ng some of our Th e Ameri ca n Horti cultural Soc iety is workin g to di scover own. But best of all, we ca n retain our sa nity because we have more about thi s benefic ial thing th at happens w hen peopl e get found our outlet; we have fe lt th e thrill of th at age-old pl ant­ 4 togeth er w ith pl ants. In th e spring there will be a sympos ium at man relationship.-J.P.B. American

HVirginia 22121 enco urage nati onal interest in sc ientific O. KE ISTER EVANS, Executive Dire ctor researc h and ed uca tion in horti culture in all of its branches.

AMERICAN HORTICULT URIST is the offi­ IN THIS ISSUE cial publica tion of Th e American Horti­ cultural Society, 7931 Eas t Boulevard Drive , Alexa ndria, Virginia, 22308, and is 4 Ed itorial 11 Camera Notes From Garden Tours-The 28th A.H.S. Congress iss ued in March, Jun e, September, and 20 Ph ilafl ora '76 Dece mber of each yea r. Membership in 48 Book Reviews th e Society automati ca lly in clu des a sub­ scription to America n Horticulturist and $4.00 is designated fo r thi s publica ti on. Membership dues start at $15.00 a yea r. A. H. S. Services Refer edi torial matters to: 36 Pl ants In The Computer-Richard A. Brown John Philip Baumgardt Ameri ca n Horticulturist P. O. Box 7163 Kansa s City, Missouri 64 11 3 Education Refer adverti sing matters to: 6 Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, Where Does Yo ur Garden Grow?-Russell A. Beatty Publ isher Services, In c. 621 Duke Stree t Alexa ndria, Virgini a 22314

Address req uests for reprints of Environment arti cles to Th e American 46 Plants, Gardeners, and Air Pollution-Norman L. Lacasse Horticultural Society, Mount Ve rnon, Vi rgi nia.

AMERICAN H ORTICU LTURIST is de­ voted to the d isse mination of knowledge Gardener's Notebook in th e science and art of growing o rna­ 12 When Catastrophe Strikes-Edwin F. Steffek mental plants, fruits, vegetables, and re­ 22 Loui siana Iri ses-Charles W. Amy, Jr. lated subjects. Original papers w hi ch in­ crea se know ledge of plant materia l s of economic and aest het ic importance are in vited. For manuscript specificat ions Hort-Science please address th e Executi ve Di rector, 16 Th e MarslVenus Caper-David G. Leach Mount Ve rn on, Virginia 2212 1. 26 Th e Chemistry of So ils for Gardeners-A. Garn ett Richardson

Rep lacement iss ues of AMERICAN HOR­ TICULTURIST .are ava i labl~ at a cost of $2.50 pe r copy, bu t not beyond twelve Research Report months prior to date of cu rrent issue. 32 Micronutrients and Plant Nutrition-Fred R. Davis

Th e opin ions expressed in the arti c les w hi ch appear in AMERICAN HORTICUL­ TURIST are those of the authors and are Reference not necessa ril y those of the Society. They 43 Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation-Abby Levine are presented as contributions to contem­ porary thought.

Second class postage paid at A lexa ndria, Virginia and at additional mailing offices. OUR COVER PHOTO-Lichen (Cladonia sp., identified by Mason E. Hale) on bark of Copyright © 1973 by The Ameri ca n Horti ­ Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda), Williamsburg, Virginia, as photographed Spring 1973 after a cultural Soc iety. warm rain by N. Jane Iseley, Colonial Williamsburg, for J. T. Baldwin, Jr. 5 Giant sunflowers, corn, bushy to­ mato plants , and squash plus happy Th e ga rdener does not love to talk, He m akes m e keep the gravel walk; children add up to a delightful intro­ And w hen he puts his tools away, duction to the joys of applied horti­ He locks th e door and takes th e key. culture. A ll phOlOS by Edwin Slrohr)1aier. Away behind th e currant row Where no one else b ut cook m ay go Far in th e plots, I see him dig, O ld and serious, brown and big.

He digs the fl owers, green, red and blue, Nor wishes to be spoken to. He digs the fl owers and cuts th e hay, And never seem s to want to play.

6 Robert Loui s Steve nso n, " Th e Gard ener" Ch ildren's foiklore is full of references to gardens, farms and growin g pl ants. Nursery rhymes, picture books and stories give th e strong implication th at as soon as a child is able to walk, he ought to be growing hi s own ga rden. Thi s fantasy is mCl~~tmCl~~t shattered when th e child, like poor Peter Rabbit, is banished from any ga rd en th at does exist, lest he pick th e radishes o r trample the heli otrope. To be quite frank, children have been rarely ever allowed to become Quite gardeners. The ga rd en is the place for ad ults. One ca n o nly become a gardener through hard work, total commitment and maturity. Only through rigorous training and discipli ne a child eventuall y ca n become a gardener. At a ce rtain age Cont~CI~~t he may be allowed to pu ll a few weeds for Mom. If he passes that test by not confusin g the weeds with the zinnias, he ca n eventuall y be trusted with cutting flowers or pu lling radishes. After that platea u is reached, the rea l apprenticeship UJhe~e Does begins with plantin g a few seeds of his own. On ly those w ith infinite patience and unbridled perserverence ca n ever become fu ll-fledged gardeners. Perh aps this may seem to be sli ghtl y exaggerated . Nevertheless from my experience this sce nario is truer than one might care to admit. Iro ni ca ll y, ~ou~ however, more young people are interested in gardening today than ever before. I suspect the reasons stem partly from the fact that garden in g is a completely new experi ence to them. In fact numerous young people are really cu lturall y depri ved =a~den w hen it comes to gardening. They have been raised in apartments w ithout the benefit of gardens or in suburban homes where the hi red gardener or Daddy took ca re of the chores. A vegetable garden has never been a necessity for today' s =~oUJ1 affluent society. Th e Victory Garden of the 40's has never aga in become a req ui site to supplement the larder. Nevertheless, the art and joys of gardening are being rediscovered in sc hools across the country from grade sc hool to the university. Communal living groups Russell A. Beatty* w ith sp lendid, productive vegetable and flower gardens are evidence of the re surgence of a renewed interest in gardening, nature and se lf-determination. The production and sa le of gardening books of all kinds is unprecedented. The demand for ga rdening classes far exceeds their avail ability. Whatever the reasons for this re vol ution, the trend is litera II y like a breath of spri ng. Yet there is much that should be done especiall y with the very young. Children ought to be not o nly all owed to ga rd en but also consciously encouraged to explore th e rich, wonderfu l joys of growin g plants. At w hat age a child may begin to garden depends primari ly on how the opportunities are presented to him. If he is made to pu ll weeds or accomplish chores too tedious or too d ifficult, he will become frustrated quickly and "turn off". On the other hand if ga rden ing is presented in small doses and in an exciting manner, even a three or four year o ld can be inspired. Th e earlier the better for it is in the early yea rs that life- long habits and impressions are made and basic values formed. At the University of Ca lifornia in Berkeley we have been experimenting with the idea of gardening fur children for over three yea rs. Combining the re so urces of the Department of Landscape Architecture with the leadershi p and fin ancial backing of a major chemical manufacturing company and the publisher of its garden books, the Children's Adventure Garden has evolved. Blake Garden, a ten acre estate belo nging to the Department, provided a unique setting for the experiment. Initially, the Adventure Garden was developed as a place to photograph young ga rd eners (ages 5-10) for an annual promotional gardening book. The idea soo n exploded into a revolutionary concept of gardens for kids. At first we knew what we did not want. We did not want gardeni ng to be a tedious, disciplined, joyless experience. We did not want the ga rden to be a microcosm of a migrant worker's truck farm with endless rows of crops. We did *Ass istant Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, University not want the kids to be turned off by boredom, tedium and inflexibility. of Ca lifornia, Berkeley, Ca lifornia. The children shou ld wa nt to play in the garden, to have fun. PLAY! That was the key word. If play could be work .a nd work could be play, the garden could be another type of playground. The concept of the Adventure Playground had been 7 proven infinitely more enriching and exciting compared to the traditional playground with static play equipment. Why not apply this concept to a children's garden? The result was the Chi Idren' s Adventure Garden. The essence of an adventure playground was combined with growing vegetables and flowers. Incorporating simple structures like raised beds, bean tents and tunnels, with growing plots laid out in irregular forms, the Adventure Garden began to develop. The selection of plants was based on several criteria: 1) common edible vegetables-carrots, chard, tomatoes, and others, 2) enormous or unusual plants-sunflowers, spa­ ghetti squash,giant pumpkins, and others. The intent was to allow the children to experience the excitement of growing plants of interest to them in the creative atmosphere of a playground. We wanted a heterogeneous group of children to participate in the Adventure Garden . Fortunately one of Berkeley's recently integrated primary 5chools pro­ vided the mix of children we were seeking-kids of different racial, ethnic and social backgrounds. There were some youngsters who were familiar with plants and gardens and others whose contact with vegetables had been limited to a frozen food package or a supermarket bin. Some kids already knew while others had yet to discover the subtle process of growth, harvest and decay. As it turned out, the children with little prior gardening experience frequently were the most interested and perservering. Indeed, if our experience is indicative, there is at least as much potential support for adventure gardens in inner city neighborhoods as in the suburbs. Each year a student in Landscape Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, was hired to coordinate the activities of the Adventure Garden, assist and guide the children, make observations on how the children used the garden and modify the garden accordingly. We adults who originally designed the garden quickly learned that not all our preconceived notions were important to the youngsters. Graduate student Dan Wormhoudt made many design changes after the first year based on the need to provide a balanced mix of private and communal spaces. He also expanded opportunities for free play and experimenta­ tion. Certain elements were eliminated and others were added. A cute little bridge between two tiered raised beds was discovered to be unused and an obstacle to the children. The small teepees on which beans were grown were removed and a large Bean House was built that formed an igloo where children could gather. A Top Right. The Adventure Garden Mural Wall was added to one side of the garden on which sheets of plywood were bulletin board keeps young .vege­ attached providing places for self-expression through painting. An elevated table growers up to snuff. The platform on a tripod frame was built beneath a nearby plum tree to enable the kids girls enjoy its shade for a break to climb and pick the juicy plums, or simply "get above it all". between chores. One of the problems that occurs is when seed is put into the ground nothing happens right away. Children are impatient and that experience can be very Bottom Right. The oakleaf lettuce frustrati ng especi ally for the I ittle ones. So other projects were initiated to keep the will make a fine salad for Mom if children's interest. In the Blake Garden greenhouse root view boxes similar to the it survives daily petting. It's her ant farm boxes were built. The children could plant seeds of radishes and carrots lettuce and she loves it. and have an ant's eye view of vegetables developing in the "windows" of the boxes. Fast germinating seeds like gre~n beans were pressed into large blocks of Far Right. Just like grown-ups; flori sts' 'Oasis' to enable a close-up view of the process of germination. Seeds of half the team does the job and the plants like cucumber and tomato were planted early in pots or flats to be ready for other half points out how to do it. Spring planting out in the garden. But no matter-there will be vege­ During the year special events were held to celebrate harvest occasions. Carol tables for everybody. Malcolm, a senior in Landscape Architecture, who supervised the second year's garden, relates one of these events. "One of the highlights of our activity .. . occurred in mid-August when the corn was ready to harvest. We organized an evening cookout and a crowd of parents, siblings, and friends turned out to share the harvest and admire the children's progress. I was amused to find that the climactic event aroused some worry in the young gardeners-'Will there be more 8 Blake Gardens?' asked one eight year old anxiously." r

Indeed there were more "Blake Gardens". Linda Haymaker, the third year coordinator, built on the previous years' experience. Failures were as important as the successes. "One of them," she relates with a smile "was the garden rocket. We couldn' t figure out what it was when we planted it. It turned out to be a weed! And when you pulled it up it left a big hole in the ground." The garden .became a combination of the children's personal gardens and larger plantings provided by the Blake Garden staff and the student coordinators. The latter plantings formed an important backdrop to the children's activities. In addition space consuming plants like corn or beans could be planted to provide sub5tantial yields to be gathered for the occasional feasts. Each youngster's own territory, his private plot, was essential. There he could grow what he wanted, make his own mistakes and delight in his successes. A strange flower appearing in one little girl's garden turned out to be a lettuce plant that had bolted in her absence. One of the most important discoveries evolving from our experiences with the Adventure Garden is that the children need to feel personally involved in its creation and its operation. Through this involvement tremendous enthusiasm emerges. If the children feel that the garden is their place, they tend to develop a keen sense of responsibility towards the garden. We adults, teachers and parents alike, have a tendency to condescendingly instruct children in the ways of doing things. We do not want them to make obvious mistakes and want to see them achieve constant success. In the Adventure Garden we recognized that the children were the participants and the adults were there to help them explore the fun of gardening for themselves. Major failures were avoided by providing the essential ingredients-good soil, a broad selection of seeds appropriate to the local climate, subtle guidance on the fundamentals of gardening, supplemental care for the garden during periods of absence, and timely suggestions for individual problems. The garden became a process rather than a product. As Carol Malcolm observed: "The size or growth week to week of their own plants was more important than the actual take-home produce; pride of possession inspired more care. " The three year experiment has ended. But there can and should be more " Blake Gardens" . The Adventure Garden was a prototype that can be adapted to use by children everywhere. The spinoff is great. As a learning experience a multitude of skills beyond those involved in garden ing are possible. Art can be experienced in the sketching of a flower; arithmetic in the counting of seeds, the measuring of plots; music in the singing of songs about gardens; science in the miracle of growth and decay; and literature in the poetry of the garden. Discipline is quickly learned when plants die from lack of care. Cooperation can result when the children share their experience or help tend another's plot. Culture and history can be learned from the use of a gourd as a ladle, the symbolic celebration of an Indian feast, or the creation of corn hU5k dolls like those made by the pioneers. It is quite possible that a better world could re sult if the adventure of the experience of gardening could be made available in every child' s education. Admittedly our experiment is unique. Few el@mentary schools have a Blake Garden, a University sponsor and a corporate benefactor at hand for a children' s adventure garden. This does not make such a garden impossible. Opportunities exist in virtually every school, neighborhood or community. Resource people are abundant if one seeks them out. Gardens can b~ made to spring out of the asphalt deserts surrounding our schools. A vacant lot can be brought to life with flowers and fruits mingled with children' s laughter. Dead spaces in housing developments can become focal points of activity for entire families with community gardens. The folklore fantasies can be brought to life. Jack' s beanstalk can become a reality and Mary' s garden can be made to grow. We Mr. McGregor' s just might 10 learn something about gardens and kids . .. and maybe ourselv@s.«> Camera Notes From Garden Tours in New Orleans During The 28th A. H. S. Congress 1. An orchid-tree, Bauhinia bLakeana, unique blend of elegant furniture and foun­ spreads its flowering branches over the tains, and a "jungle" density of sub-trop­ garden wall to delight passers-by. ical plants, all blended into a secluded set­ ting. 2. Some design elements that typify New Orleans courtyard garden architecture; an 7. Golden flowers of a tender, shrubby open stairway, a well-designed pond with species of Cassia bloom out summer-long. fountain, and tubbed plants at the Strachan Note the almost mature seed pods which house courtyard. have developed from early summer blos­ soms. 3. The fragrant white blossoms and stately stalks of the butterfly-lily, Hedychium co­ 8. Bromeliads, cousins to pineapple and ronarium, exhibit the plant's relationship to Spanish-moss, grow to perfection in New the gingers. Orleans' heat and humidity. Mostly epi­ phytes, these grow in a porous potting mix 4. In the garden of the Catledge house, as terrace plants. water and jasmine cascade down the wall and tubbed tropicals, perennials and camel­ 9. Formal garden lines at Longue Vue are lias provide year-round color. enhanced by tubbed, flowering tropical plants that are changed through the season. 5. The coralvine, Antigonon ieptopus, Fountains delight the eye in the modern ramps widely in New Orleans gardens garden. where local gardeners decry its vigor and visitors see only its great beauty. 10. Spanish-moss, Tillandsia usneoides, is an epiphytic bromeliad relies on high humidity for survival. Broken Branch The damaged branch has been removed at the first crotch be­ A branch broken by a child having swung on it. Wind or ice hind the injury. A double bevel cut leaves no stub. Now the may cause similar twisted breaks. Make a clean cut at the wound is to be painted. nearest crotch. Leave no stub. When (Jalaslrophe Slrikes!

Edwin F. Steffek*

Conventional pruning, planned mainte­ faster and there is less danger of decay nance and trai ni ng of trees and shrubs, has gain ing entrance. been the subject of many articles and vol­ If, however, the injured portion is a umes over the years. It is unplanned prun­ main structural branch cut it off as closely ing, however, the undoing or correction of to the trunk as possible. Wherever a accidents and other unfortunate circum­ danger of stripping the bark downward stances, which often must take prece­ with the weight of the branch exists cut dence along our streets and in our gar­ the branch back to a short stub fi rst. Then dens. It is these emergencies that I treat at remove the stub. In any case, the very first this time. cut of all must be a protective one on the bottom of the branch to prevent stripping Broken Branches the bark down the trunk. Perhaps the most commonly met emer­ Stripped Bark gency pruning problem is that of branches broken by storms or human activities. This brings us to the question of what to Even in conventional pruning the rule is do, if the bark is already stripped. The only that these be taken care of first. If the resource, then, is to prevent the entry of broken portion is part of a larger branch, decay organisms and to promote as rapid merely cut it back to the nearest crotch healing as possible. Since a clean-edged making the cut as close as possible wound heals more rapidly than a ragged *Editor, HORTICU LTU RE , without weakening the adjoining branch. one, with a heavy, sharp knife remove all Horticultural Han, Boston, With no stub left for the callous to have to ragged edges. 12 M assachusetts 02 175. work its way over the healing is much With the knife shape the wound into a Tear down The tear down has been whittled smooth , shaped to provide A branch was cut improperly from this locust and its weight continuous drainage. Bark has been beveled. When the cut tore down a strip of wood and bark leaving a jagged, deep face is smooth ed, tree wound dressing (paint) will be applied wound. and the wound should callous shut quickly with no decay.

narrow , ve rti ca l elipse cutting down to clean wood. Next paint th e wound and es peci all y th e ed ges of th e bark w ith shellac to make a mo isture-proof sea l, yet one which will not injure th e tender cam­ bium layer beneath the bark. W hen thi s is dry coat the entire w ound as well as th e edges with a good, comme rc i al tree wound dress ing. La cking this, coat it w ith a good quality oil-based house paint.

Automobile Damage

Although stripped bark, as desc ribed above, is usually the re sult of a broken branch falling and tearing the bark down­ 'ward, bark torn off is fully as often caused by automobiles hitting the trees. While such wounds are generally much wider, trim the edges back into an elipse, if poss i­ ble, as above. Then paint in the same fashion. If any of the wood is gouged, also smooth the surface to aid healing before painting. (On a smaller scale lawn mowers are responsible for the same type of injury.)

Winter Injury

In particularly severe winters cherries and other not fully hardy trees may suffer Car Injury The repaired wounds-Bark is When an automobile (or the mower) evenly beveled to encourage early from bark splitting and a peeling away of scars a tree trunk the wound is apt to development of wound callous which the bark from the wood especially on the be lacerated. Whittle away all splin­ eventually will overgrow the injury. sunny side of the trees. Again, take your ters, smooth wood and bark and knife and cut the bark back to healthy, apply tree wound paint. undamaged wood, still firmly attached to the tree. Then paint the uncovered portion r 13 Lightning Lightning struck this street tree, ripping a spiral gash from tree top to the soil. City employees merely sprayed the ragged, torn, lesion with tree wound A few years back a horseshoe dressing. The injury should have been whittled was hung over a small side Winter Injury smooth, bark properly beveled, before painting. branch. The branch, bruised, A successful treatment of winter in­ died and was stubbed back jury. When young this maple suf­ badly. Now callous tissue is fered winter sunscald. In spring dead engulfing stub and horseshoe­ bark was cut away and the wound an unhealthy situation. was · sealed. Now callous tissue has covered the exposed wood.

for protection from decay as outlined the owner in the years to come in the form above. If such injury is fairly common, as of weakened and broken branches. The in the Mountain and Plains States, and one best cure is to not let it happen. Do not still insists upon growing the somewhat cook under the low-hanging branches of a tender trees, covering the trunks with tree. But where the damage has already spiral wrap often helps, especially while occurred c ut off the injured portions as the trees are relatively young. described under "broken branches" . There is no cure. Lightning Overgrown Wires, Nails, and so on While not common, this type of injury does occur, particularly on hilltops or A common practice in some areas is to other exposed locations. In these the bark nail barbed wire or other fencing to living is usually torn off in one or more narrow trees-it saves posts. However, this can be strips from the top of the tree to the particularly harmful to the trees. As they ground. In such cases, treat in the usual grow, first, the bark covers the wire. Then way as high as conditions permit working. the wood envelopes it. Of course, the wire tends to rust but th is is not enough. The Burned Branches wires interfere with the passage of sap and Another type of Injury, unfortunately, nutrients up and down within the tree. becoming more common as more and Also, in the years to come, imbedded more people take to the outdoors for wires or nails can do much harm, when cooking, is fire or heat-damaged one tries to cut the tree for lumber or fire­ branches. Whi Ie the damages in anyone place wood. They not only spoil the saw year may appear only minor, they accu­ but, worse, pieces of the metal may fly off 14 mulate. Also, they usually return to haunt and hit someone. Fire Injury These branches over­ reach the barbecue grill. Heat not only has seared the leaves, but branches .~iW are scorched below. Note die back from previous injury.

Wire in a tree Nailing wire to a tree is a serious error. The tree is sure to be par­ tially girdled. Pull out wire and sta­ ples or nails, with a gouge clean the wound, then paint it.

Girdling Roots A rather young root enwrap­ ping a tree base. As this root and the buttress root it crosses increase in diameter the older The cure-use fence posts not trees to saw or chop them out, painting the cut root will become strangled. hold up fences and do not drive nails ends with a good tree wound dressing to needlessly into trees. However, where the prevent the entrance of decay. Then re­ The girdling root has been sev­ damage ha s been done and the remains of place the soil and feed and water until the ered at one end. Note the the fence sti II show, pu II out the pieces, if tree regains its vigor. groove it already has made. possible, with heavy duty pliers or a vice Cut such roots away and paint Improper Grading or Changes of Grade wrench. If this is impossible, cut off those the severed end. Frequently, girdling roots are below the portions sti II protruding so that at lea st the Where damage has occurred due to surface. damage is not compounded. improper grading the la yi ng of sidewalks or burying of pipes and wires, there really Girdling Roots is not much that one can do. Make sure Improper planting often results in one or that the roots are cut off smoothly so more roots becoming wound around the healing can take place, paint the ends to others. Then with the passi ng of the years prevent the entry of decay and feed the and the increase in diameter of the roots tree. the encircling ones strangle their neigh­ Other than the injuries discussed above, bors, cutting off the latter's ability to there are, of course, su.ch things as trees funnel the life-giving moisture and nu­ beheaded or otherwise butchered due to trients up and down. the activities of lineman, from improper Unfortunately, such situations rarely care, cavities, and so on. These however, occur where they may be seen readily. along with large-scale pruning of shade However, if a tree is seriously weakened, trees are jobs for the professional aborist shows unthrifty growth or poor color, or tree surgeon. If the problem is beyond remove the soi I at the base of the tree. If you, do not attempt to fix the tree and any horizontal, strangling roots appear, harm yourself. ~ 15 III SIPII

David Goheen Leach

Pol/en, transferred from an anther to the stigma of the pistil, produces sperm cells that fertilize egg cells in the ovary of the pistil and from the ferti lized egg comes the seed. Nature accomplishes all this easily. But plant lovers like to interfere, pollinating se lected pistils w ith pollen from a se lected pollen parent plant. To aid amateurs in organizing their own breeding programs, Dr. David C. Leach, A. H .S. president, notes random thoughts derived from his own experiences as a breeder of fine rhododendron cultivars. pollen gra in

antipoda ls po lar nuclei embryo sac synergids

tube nucleus ---;\\_~\\\~~ I 9 s pe r ms-----l~~~~~rJ~

micropy l e-----'';;--';:"""''''~"

sepal

There see m to be no in struction bridist struggles with the manipu­ manuals for budding hybridizers. lation of pollen so that it can be So many would-be amateur plant preserved for use on plants th at breeders suffer through the frus­ bloom at another season. Pollen tration of tri al and error experi­ decays in stora ge under exactly ment th at some homely bits and the sa me conditions as do seeds; pieces of advice may be helpful. moisture and warmth. A simple The advice results from th irty way to preserve it for several yea rs' experience breeding rho­ weeks is to use a commercial dodendrons, and it may not invar­ peanut butter jar as a home-made 'Tow Head.' A dwarf yellow flow­ iably be directly applied to the desiccator. An inch and a half of ered rock garden or dooryard breeding of other plants. rhododendron. The first hybrid of R. inexpensive four-mesh anhydrous calcium chloride, ordered from a Home-Made Desiccator ludlowii ever recorded. The other parent was the Carolina rhododen­ pharmacist, is covered with per­ 16 Nearly every beginning hy- dron, R. carolinianum. forated ca rdboard to hold it in Rhododendron Photos from Dr. Leach's Breeding Garde".

Photos b y author.

place. The lid shou ld seal tightly. pulverized anthers and pollen Unnamed. A startling break (to a Calcium c hloride absorbs the rhododendron buft) in color pattern. can often be used successfully to moisture from anthers contai ning make a cross which would other­ pollen, or from free pollen so that wi se be impossible. Enough viability is prolonged. If the pollen germ inates on the stigma pollen is to be stored more than to produce seeds, although their three weeks, the desiccator number is usually reduced. should be placed in a refrigerator, Seeds; Harvesting and Labels ideally at 34°F. The period of preservation can thus be ex­ Seeds of rhododendrons, at tended two months or more. least, mature long before the cap­ su les appear to be re'ady for har­ Long Term Storage vesting, and they can be sown If pollen of a late blooming much sooner for accelerated plant is to be saved for use on one growth if they are gathered early. which blooms at an earlier sea­ In 1971, for example, I gathered son , it ca n be frozen in a deep­ seeds from the early blooming freeze at about OaF. It still will be little blue flowered alpine, R. fas­ viable for making the cross the 'Virginia Leach.' The garden effect is tigiatum on July 25th that would fol'lowing year. orange, though the close-up may not ordinarily not have been har­ Most breeders use gelati n cap­ convey more than a totally unfamiliar vested before mid-October. They sules with ribbon-like paper strips flower color for cold climates. Low germinated perfectly. inserted which identify the pollen growing, in scale for modern single An exceptionally convenient they contain. Small glassine coin story houses and small gardens. identification for crosses are the envelopes also provide visibility featherweight anodized alu­ of the contents. They are just as minum Hartley Shrub Labels, satisfactory and far more conven­ imported and sold by Connois­ ient. seur Garden & Home Company, 2815 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Pollen Manipulation Washington 98121. They can be Anthers do not always readily attached quickly at the site of the yield their pollen. If the group of cross, and pencil parentage rec­ stamens is held in one hand and ords on them last for years. The the heel of the hand is then struck same label can identify the con­ sharply against the knuckle of the tents of the seed envelope and other, sufficient pollen may be la ter the resu Iti ng seed lings in the jarred out to make a cross with a flat, so the possibi tity of error is cultivar which is presumed not to reduced. produce pollen at all. In addition to a label of what­ Anthers with only traces of ever sort, each flat should be pollen which have been in a des­ marked on its side with an identi­ iccator so that they are thor­ fying number. The first two digits oughly dry can be macerated Unnamed. A rhododendron with a show the year the cross was with tweezers on the palm of the dramatic contrasting blotch pre­ made; the second set of digits in­ hand and the entire mixture of viously known only in mild climates. dicates the parentage as recorded ri7 in a written I ist of crosses to ents. Then, not too long ago, in an which each has been assigned a Unnamed. A salmon "art shade" ingenious experiment with corn, number. A Magic Marker felt tip without precedent in completely it was demonstrated that the cyto­ pen produces waterproof ink hardy rhododendrons. plasm surrounding the cell nu­ which is very durable. Every ex­ cleus of the female parent also perienced breeder has lost labels influences the traits of the off­ in flats to playful chipmunks, spring, an abhorrent thought in acquisitive blue jays or the classic genetics. The evidence chubby hands of tiny tots. A . was clear, however, and the second means of identification extra-nuclear determi ners were spares many an apoplectic inci­ called plasmagenes. They are dent. usually responsible when, in re­ ci procal crosses, the offspri ng are Parent Selection different. The inference is that Beginners at plant breeding there is a long-shot mathematical often pose a question which .advantage in choosi ng as the seed bri ngs a harried look to those with parent the plant which exhibits to the best of technical back­ the more marked extent the char­ grounds: does it make a differ­ acteristics most sought in the ence, if a choice is avai lable, progeny. which of the two parents pro­ 'Small Wonder.' The first hardy R. Protecting the Pod Parent duces the seed? forrestii hybrid, semi-dwarf, with Blossom Usually not. But then the back­ scarlet flowers devoid of blue. There yard hybridist, perversely, is in­ are no semi-dwarf reds in commerce It is not necessary to place pro­ variably seeking the unusual. and those of conventional size have tective coverings over emascu­ I have made my fair share of flowers badly flawed and muddied by lated flowers to prevent bee-car­ reciprocal crosses, as have most the blue admixture. ried pollen from contaminating hybridizers, and perhaps three crosses in many genera, if the per cent have shown differences corolla and stamens are removed, when the same parent which providing the local conditions are produces the pollen is also used first tested . A few flowers should as the seed parent. The d iffer­ be emasculated without later fer­ ences are not usually very large, tilizing them. If no seeds form, the but agai n amateur breeders tend breeder is reasonably safe in as­ to be long-shot artists. suming that insects are not The existence of maternal in­ making natural crosses with un­ heritance, in which the seed wanted parents. In western Penn­ parent exerts an undue influence sylvania, where bumble bees visit upon the characteristics of the rhododendron flowers in huge progeny, was observed with puz­ numbers almost to the exclusion zled dismay by geneticists for of other insects, no precautions many years. The assumption had other than emasculation are always been that all traits are i n­ ' Peach Parfait.' A color hitherto needed. In northeastern Ohio, variably controlled by the genes unknown in rhododendrons grown in where honey bees are conspic­ 18 within the cell nuclei of the par- cold climates. uous in rhododendron plantings, Insect and Disease Control emascu lated test flowers regu larly Unnamed. An uprecedent ye llow and produce so me seeds. Presumably pink combination for the Northeast. Sooner or later small seedlings the smaller, more ag il e honey of most genera will be attacked bees roam over the receptive by fungus disease or insect pests . stigmas. Once establi shed, the most common diseases are extremely Germinating Medium and difficult to control. The se nsible Seedling Management precaution is to start spraying the For slow growing seedlings of seed lings when t hey produce woody plants, and especial ly the their first set of tru e leaves in the Eri caceae, milled sphagnum moss germinating medium, and to re­ is the preferred germinating me­ peat every two weeks throughout dium for all but the most so phisti­ the first growing seaso n. The best cated of growers. It is offered by prophylax is I have discovered is a Mosser Lee, Millston, Wisconsin, spray so lution composed of one if no local source is ava ilable. tablespoon of Captan, one and Sphagnum moss contains an in­ one half teaspoons of Benlate, built anti-fungicida l agent which two tablespoons of Isotox and fif­ virtua ll y elimin ates the ever­ teen drops of Du Pont spreader­ threatening scourge of damping­ sti cker, in a ga llon of water. 'Peking. ' The first hardy, truly off roots rots, Ph ytophthora and yellow rhododendron for the eastern Supplementary Light Pythium . Dr. H . M. Cathey and United States. his co lleagues at the U .S. D .A. At the end of the first season, Agricultural Research Service rhododendron seed I i ngs wh ich have evidence that sphagnum have had supplemental fluores­ moss inhibits growth to some cent li ght to produce a sixteen­ degree , but most o ld-tim e hour growing day, are about two breeders will swap this modest and one half times larger than disadvantage for seed lings free of those which have had a natural disease. dawn-to-dusk day of growth fol­ The most common mistake of lowing germi nation. novice breeders in pricking out I w ish to emphasize that in seedlings is to choose those that producing this article at the Edi- are the strongest and st urdiest. tor's request, I intended not to Imtead, they should be taken just suggest the possibility of slavish as they occur in the germinating appl ication to other genera of all medium, whether they are weak, methods which have proved con­ average or of exceptional vigor. venient and successfu l with rho­ The desired combi nations of or­ dodendrons. The hope is to offer Unnamed. A novel color for the East. namental characteristics are often I included this one because I like the an array of ideas so me which may not associated with vigor. They lighting and the suggestion in the be adapted to help so lve the may be associated wi,th average developing buds of the color phases. problem of the thousands of statu re or even with a slow rate of All but the one floret were deliber­ backyard breeders who produce growth. ately diffused. most of our new hybrid cu ltivars.O 19 ,rA""""lIFlIRI aw"

It really is going to happen! At gardening at every level, and even Preliminary Plant Material long last the United States is to see nourishment for the body-restau­ for Mass Effects at one of those great horticultural ex­ rants and snack bars. travaganzas that Europeans have Fairmount Park, site of the 1876 Philaflora '76 come to take almost for granted. For Centennial, is the location for Phila­ In formal beds near the entrance: decades American plant lovers have flora. Forty ac res have been set aside Earliest bloom: April to early May made pi Igri mages to the Floriade, to for the gardens. Parking-lots of Pansie s the Bundesgartenshau, to the Inter­ parking-is extra. Violas national Horticultural Exhibition. Philaflora will be opened offi­ Primroses Now it wi II take a shorter tri p. Phi la­ cially in April of 1976 with a mas­ Sin gle Earl y tulips Double Earl y tulips delphia is the place. The Pennsyl­ sive display of spring flowers in the Hyac inths vania Horticultural Society is the gardens and exotic flowers on dis­ En glish-daisies creative spirit. play in the halls. A kaleidoscopic Forget-me-nots What is all this? It works this way. change will continue. After the tu­ Wallflowers An enlightened city makes available lips, the spring perennials; then the Second bloom: Mid to late May a tract of ground-usually a down­ summer annuals, the ros@s, and the May-flowering tulips w ith pansies, prim­ ro ses, forget-me-nots and dwarf wa ll­ town area of considerable dimen­ displays of new cultivars .. The flowers. sion. A capable sponsoring organi­ seaSOfil ends with dahlias and chry­ Late May to first half of June: zation calls in experts and develops santhemums, but before they fade Sweet William, Canterbury be lls and a concept of gardens, buildings, and everyone will have enjoyed the rock fo xglove . related construction, aimed at get­ garden collections, the flowering Third bloom: ting people and plants together shrubberies, the bonsai specimens, Ageratum under the most enjoyable, the most and the exhibits and programs in the Alyss um Begonia semperflorens educational, the most thrilling cir­ halls. The season will close in Oc­ Celosia cumstances. tober. Centaurea candidi ss ima Always there are gardens; often What a job, just to celebrate the Cineraria maritima } for these are specialized gardens to Bicentennial! But it is not "just" . It ' Diamond' silver- show th@ unique, the unfamiliar, the goes on. Remember where Rot­ Cineraria maritima grey 'Silverdust' fo liage exotic plant, grown to perfection, in terdam had the first Floriade, now Coleus the best possible setting. People are those grounds are more beautiful Dahlia-Coltness and Unwin Hybrids stunned! Often there are special each year, as happened with the Dahlia-special dwarf ones from Holl and buildings for exhibits of special Anlagen Garten a Bundesgartenshau Geranium plants, of cut flowers, or of displays site in Stuttgart, or with Donaupark, Impatiens Marigold assembled for educational purposes. an International Garden Exhibition Petunia That might be an array of plants site in Vienna. So with Philaflora. It Sa lvia farinacea, 'Catima' and ' Regal which supply rare medicines or begins, as part of the Bicentennial Purple' plants artificially created by special­ celebration in 1976. It wi" go on as Sa lvia splendens and cultivars ized breeding techniques. But al­ a cultural feature of Philadelphia Sn apdragon Vinca ways the layout is geared to the forever. Last bloom: layman. The gardens and the ex­ Who did it? The Pennsylvania Chrysa nthemums hibits speak to everybody. A non­ Horticultural Society dreamed up gardening viewer may not compre­ Phi laflora and prepared a pmposal. In Shrub Beds: Phlox diva ri cata used as a gro und cove r hend the chromosome charts in the Progressive, far-sighted citizens and interpl anted w ith late blooming varie­ lily breeding display, but his heart bought it, and the sponsorship lies "ti es of daffodils. leaps when he sees the lily. It will all with P. I=I .S. , collaborating with the Bord ers of primroses and/or pansies. Scilla campanu/ata and Ca m ass ia to add be ther@, in Philadelphia. Greater Philad@lphia Cultural Alli­ extra color in late May or June. The concept is total. There will be ance, the Fairmount Park Commis­ Groups of day lilies to fa ce down the shrubs pleasure for the children (a car­ sion, and Philadelphia '76. But it' s for summer color while Sedum spectabilis and its new cultiva rs and Sedum te/ephium rousel? a ferris wheel?), a concert for for everybody. See you if) Philadel­ ' Indian Chief' to do the sa me for Se p­ 20 everybody, a trade fair to stimulate phia in 1976! tember. The following trees and shrubs w ill give the best mass display of co lor and bloom in the months indicated. -oj Trees April: Magnolia denudata Magnolia kobus Magnolia ste llata Prunus serru lata cultiva rs p May: Ce rcis canadensis Corn us florid a Cornus florida 'Rubra' Co rnus florida ' Pluribracteata' Crataegus in va ri ety Halesia caro lina Halesia monticola Laburnum species Magno li a x so ulangeana and forms Malu s-many species and named cultiva rs Prunu s serrulata cultivars (late flowering) p June: Cornus kousa Magnolia virgi niana Styrax japon ica Sty rax obassia July: Oxydendrum arboreum Sopho ra japonica Stewarti a koreana Stewartia monadelpha Stewa rti a ovata Stewartia pse udo-camellia August: Franklinia alatamaha Koelreuteria paniculata

Shrubs April: Cytisus praecox Forsythia I. EN TRY PL AZA 2. FORMAL GA RD ENS Rhododendron mucronulatum and 3. PA VILL ION 4. RE STAU RA NT "Azaleas" 5. PHI LAFLORA C ENT E R 6. TRAD E FAIR May: 7. F ERRI S WH EEL Cercis chinensis 8. J APAN ESE HOU SE 9. AMPH ITH EA TRE Deutzia gracilis 10. RHODE NDRO N GROTTO II. FERN GARDE N Deutzia x lemoinei 12. INFORMAL GA RDENS Fothergilla major 13. SN ACK BAR 14. GAZEBO Fothergilla montico la 15. AM USE MENTS 16. SCULPTURE MIRICK PEARSON I LVONEN BATCHELER Pyra ca ntha coccinea ' La landi' 17. EXHIB ITION HALL " ~C H l n CH rlANNlP.$ THRH r"R,I!, WAY rlll LIlUlLl'ltiA P y r aca n ~ha crenul ata ' Fl ava' 18. MEMORI AL HALL P PARKING 1100 ft. ! Py raca ntha crenulata 'Rogersiana' Syringa persica Syringa vulga ris and cultivars Rhododendron species and cultivars June: Deutzia sca bra 'Candidissima' Kalmia latifolia July: August: Kolkwitzia amabilis Abelia grandiflora Abelia grandiflora Philadelphus species and cultivars Clethra alnifolia Hibisc us sy riacus Ro sa rugo sa Hydrangea mac rophylla ' Hortensis' Lage rstroemia indica Viburnum sieboldi Hypericum species and cultiva rs September: Vibwrnum tomentosum 'M ariesi' Vitus agn us-castus Camellia sasa nqua ~ 21 Louisiana iris 'Charlie's Felicia'. Photos by author.

Charles W. Amy, Jr. * Fl ower lovers, particularly iris izontally with the petals or sta ndards enthusiasts, are overlooking won­ verti ca l. derful opportunities for land scape Iris brevicaulis is dwarf or the beauty and flower arrangi ng found, baby of the group. The flowers are of in th e group of iri s species and their medium size, three or four inches hybrids referred to as Louisiana iri ses. across with a great deal of substance Today most Louisia na iris culti­ and are usually colored blue and vars are hybrids. For the most part w hite. The flowers are borne on these cu ltivars were c reated from zigzag stems just below upper level four species referred to as Iris fulva, ofthe plants foliage. I. giganticaerulea, I. brevicaulis and Iris nelsonii is characteri zed by a giant " fulva" now known as I. nel­ thick, leathery, overlapping floral sonii. parts w hich form a rather flat, full Th e fulva iris has many sma ll flower. Sepa ls and petals are held flowers borne on rather straight 30- out vertically or slightly drooping. inch stems usually sma ll, rusty red or The newer cu ltivars or varieties copper co lored with all floral parts have large flower size, w ider floral drooping. parts, much firmer flowers w ith a Iris giganticaerulea is the giant of great deal more substance, improve­ the Lo ui siana family of iris, some­ m ent in texture, superior co lor times five feet high; large flowers, sh ades a nd tones , in c reased with five to seven in c h spread ,. branching of flower stems and * University of Southwestern Louisi­ usually b lu e and white. These smal ler rhi zomes than those of ear­ 22 ana, Lafa yette, Louisiana 70501. flowers have sepa ls or fa lls held hor- lier varieties. Chromosomes and Breeding Practica ll y all of today's Louisiana iris species and hybrids are diploids; that is, th ei r ce ll s contai n two sets of chromoso mes. Studies of Lo ui siana iris revea l that the Lo ui si ana iri s species have th e following number of chromosomes in each set, Iris fulva, 2 1, 22 for Iris giga nticaerulea, and 21 or 22 for Iris brevicaul is. In view of the fact that these chro­ moso mes, and the number of chro­ moso me se ts, determ in e th e charac­ teristics of iri ses, h ybr idi ze r s recognize th e opportunities for . changing the features of the Loui­ siana iris by maki ng new combina­ tions of chromosomes and chromo­ somes sets. In other plants w here the number of chromoso me sets have Louisiana iris 'E. E. Caradine'. been increased to three (triploid) or to four (tetraploid), improvement in many plant characterist ics has been noted. gland area , fo r example, prove that Since originally there were no these irises do rather well and are known tetraploid Loui siana irises nea rl y as ca refree as other iri ses. one means of improvement was to These Lo ui siana iris cultiva rs have artificially create tetraploids. Loui­ been subjected to below 0° F. tem­ siana iris fans are fortunate to have a peratures w ith top so il and rhi zomes man with the foresight, skill, per­ remaining frozen for so me days at a se rverance, and interest to develop time and survived to produce beau­ two tetraploids Louisi ana irises and tiful bloom. A ny tendency not to a number of chimeras or in complete bloom may be attributed at least in tetraploids. As a result of Jr. Joseph part to a shorter gro wi ng seaso n. K. Mertzweiller's accomplishment This problem ca n, in many cases, be the future prospects for further im­ overcome by stimul ating ea rl y provement in new iris cultivars are growth and development of the rhi­ very promising. zomes by fertilizing and with proper soil management. Growing Conditions Popular Interest Develops With the principal geographical habitat of Louisiana irises located in Interest in growing Louisiana ir­ south Louisiana a gardener might ises is increasing and will continue conclude that these irises had very to flourish as more people learn limited adaptability throughout the about them, and as new, improved United States to say nothing of the cultivars become available. A world. It appears logical that Loui­ number of factors contribute to this siana iris cultivars would require a new intere£t; some of the more im­ long warm growing season, mild portant are: relative ease of growing, winters, an abundance of moisture, abi I ity to flower in both full sun or and slightly acid, rich soils. In many sem i-shade, and excellent val ue as parts of America the5e conditions cut flowers. Louisiana irises provide are not found and people have con­ flower arrangers with variations of Louisiana iris 'Marie CaiUet'. cluded that Louisiana irises cannot color, and offer a variety of flower be grown in northern areas. form and texture. These irises are Reports from persons in mid-. suited to the perennial flower bed or ".. western states and in the New En- border, and they are comparatively ( 23 Louisiana iris 'Ila Nunn'.

free of insect pests and from dis­ and half mixture of balanced ferti­ eases. They offer tremendous chal­ lizer (such as 12-12-12) and cotton­ lenges to the breeder. seed meal to each 100 square feet of bed surface, and mix it thoroughly Cultural Notes through the soil. In areas where soil The culture of Louisiana Irises is and water are alkaline the use of ag­ not too difficult if gardeners supply ricultural sulphur (at a rate of ten the conditions favorable for good pounds per 100 square feet) helps to growth. Keep in mind these irises are assure the acidity desirable for Loui­ heavy feeders; they thrive on or­ siana irises. Prepare the bed ahead ganic matter, and they need plenty of ti me to allow it to settle for two of moisture particularly in the fall weeks before planting. and in the spring at blooming. The The best time for transplanting rhizomes should not be planted too and reworking the beds is in the late deeply and they should be protected summer and early fall. Outside the from the direct rays of the sun on hot Gulf Coast Region early spring summer days. While a slightly acid planting may be the most desirable soil usually is best, it is not so much time to plant. the soil reaction as it is the availa­ Plant iris rhizomes so the terminal bility of plant food elements that shoots face the direction in which determines success. It is not neces­ plants are to grow. Set rhizomes sary to plant these irises in a pond or deep enough to be covered with no bog. more than one and one-half inches The ideal exposure for Louisiana of soi I after the bed has settled. iris is at least half-day sun preferably Space rhizomes ten to eighteen in the morning, with semi-shade in inches apart if they are to remain the afternoon, and protection from undivided for more than one year. strong winds. Newly established plantings should A soil mixture made up of peat or be heavily mulched soon after pine bark, leafmold, manure (prefer­ planting. Mulch is desirable in the ably poultry droppings), and good fall and spring to conserve moisture garden soil (top soil), in about equal and to control weeds and grass; it is proportions, gives good results. essential after the plants become 24 Apply eight to ten pounds of a half dormant in the summer. Rhizomes Louisiana iris 'Anne Caradine'. Louisiana iris' Mrs. I. Nelson'.

continually exposed to the sun lover. Among the darker shades are during the summer months will be ' Blue Duke,' 'Marie Caille!,' 'Clyde killed and rot away. Materials suit­ Redmond,' ' New Offering,' 'Mark able for mulching are sugar cane Fontenot' and ' Lake Maumelle.' For bagasse, rice hulls, cottonseed hulls, lighter blues ' Blue Chip,' ' Eolian ,' oak leaves, rotten sawdust, pine ' Gulf Surf,' ' Mr. Mac' and ' Ellene straw and pine bark. Rockwell' are good bloomers and Depending upon the amount of provide color over an extended pe­ growth and development of the rhi­ riod or time. zomes, additional fertilizing thirty Some of the exceptional purple­ days before blooming and following toned irises in the Louisiana group blooming may be desirable. Follow are 'Violet Ray / ' Royal Velour,' all fertilizing with a thorough wa­ ' Pam Truscott,' ' King Calcasieu' and tering. 'Crescent City.' For something different from Selections For The Garden yellow to brown consider varieties Gardeners have different prefer­ such as 'Theresa Dorlores,' ' Bayou ences with respect to color tones, Comus,' ' Dean Lee,' 'G. W. Holley­ flower form, texture and other man,' 'Tressie Cook' and 'Uptight'. flower features of the Louisiana ir­ In pink, rose and lavender colors ises. Accordingly selection of culti­ the choice may be made from : vars to include in a planting may be 'Treecie,' ' Faenelia Hicks," Mrs. Ira quite a chore. One basis for selec­ Nelson,' 'Chari ie's M ichel€l,' 'Char­ tion could be official plant society lie's Ginny,' Dr. Dorman' and 'Car­ awards, or popularity polls, or ex­ olyn Lapoint.' perience of friends. My choice of iris The outstanding white or cream cultivars of red color tones are colored irises include such cultivars 'Chuck,' 'F.A.C. McCulla,' 'Ira Nel­ as 'Qu€len 0 Queens,' 'lia Nunn,' son' and 'Walter Dupree 111.' These and 'Inez Conger.' red irises have varying flower form, For those who like bitones recom­ texture and signal or crest patterns. mendations would include 'Coun­ A number of blue-toned Louisiana terpoise,' 'Katherine Cornay,' 'Char­ irises make a real contribution to the lie's Felicia,' 'Myra Arny,' 'Charli€l's landscape and please the flower Marie' and 'Captain Bill.' ~ 25 The Chemi/try of Joill for Gardenerl

A. Garnett Richardson *

Everyone interested in horticul­ ture is aware of the dependence of plants upon soil conditions for op­ timum growth and development. It is not necessary to take a course in chemistry in order to acquire skill in

photosynthesIS horticulture, but a working under­ standing of the basic principles of air rai n soil chemistry can be helpful. Since the composition of soil varies with depth and location on the earth' s surface for purposes of this discussion we shall consider only average soil suitable for growing plants, which limits the depth to that reached by the roots of topsoi l most plants and excludes deserts fi xed by and rocky outcroppi ngs. Soi I has spec ific ion exchange been defined as a mixture of inor­ bacteri a subso il ganic and organic compounds, dead and living plant and animal mate­ leaching pa rent rial, colloids, w ater and gases, in materi al variable but balanced proportions. Its composition is the result of degra­ Various living processes of a plant, and related natural phenomena. Carbon dation of igneous, metamorphic, dioxide and water combine in chlorophyll-bearing cells using sunlight energy and sedimentary rocks, vegetation to produce sugar. The reverse of this reaction, when sugar combines with previously grown upon it, climate, oxygen to release energy and carbon dioxide, is respiration. topography, and the time of interac­ tion of these factors. The most abundant elements in soi I are oxygen, si I icon, and al um i­ num, and they make up about seventy-five per cent of the total elemental composition of soil. Iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, mag­ nesium, and titanium account for another twenty per cent, and all the remaining elements make up the *477 6 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, other five per cent. Eighteen ele­ 26 Virginia 23230 . ments have been establi shed as es- sential to plant nutrition. These are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, ca l­ cium, iron, magnesium, manga nese, copper, boron, zinc, cobalt, molyb­ denum, chlorine and sodium, but many of these are required only in trace amounts, and any appreciable excess can be to xic to pl ants. Nitrogen and Nitrate Fertilizers

The organic component of so il consists of fresh and decomposed plant and animal material and a large number of live microorgan­ isms . Even though the weight per­ centage of the latter is sma ll their number in a single ounce of fertile garden soil is greater th an the entire human population of the ea rth . Mi­ croorganisms have a very important function in plant nutrition in that they are chiefly respon sible for the breakdown of dead plant and an­ imal material to a soluble form wh ich can be used by plants. Cer­ tain species of bacteria also convert atmospheric nitrogen, which pene­ trates the soil, into soluble nitrogen compounds. Organic compounds were so named because originally the only sand particles sand pa rti cles way they could be obtained was from material derived from I ive or­ ganisms, but now thousands of new organic compounds are made artifi­ cially every year. Carbon is the ele­ ment common to all of them, and usually it is found combined with hydrogen and oxygen. For the for­ mation of proteins nitrogen also is Diagram of a root tip extending through mineral soil and showing patterns of required. This element is a gas under ion exchanges which result in nutritive ion uptake by the root. normal conditions, and as such it comprises about eighty per cent of the earth's atmosphere, but except for certain legumes plants cannot use it in this elemental state. It first must be converted to soluble ni­ trogen compounds by the nitrogen­ fixing bacteria. When plants are repeatedly har­ vested from the same soil the ni­ trogen becomes depleted, because the atmospheric source is insuffi­ cient. Soi I nitrogen can be replen­ ished by organic material, such as r 27 manures or compost, or by inor­ depleted from soil by repeated har­ ganic nitrogen salts. Natural organic vesting. Therefore nitrogen, phos­ material in soil decomposes slowly phorus, and potassium are the so that plants receive a prolonged common ingredients of most fertiliz­ supply of nitrogen. The decomposi­ ers, and the three numbers seen on tion process consists in progressive many fertilizer labels specify the break-down of complex molecules content of these elements. For ex­ into simpler ones until eventually ample: 20-10-5 means that the ferti­ the carbon, along with some of the lizer contains twenty per cent nitro­ oxygen, end up as carbon dioxide. gen, ten per cent phosphorus Some of the nitrogen and hydrogen pentoxide, and five per cent potas­ produce ammonia; nitrogen and sium oxide. However, the ingredi­ oxygen combine with basic ele­ ents wi II not consist of these actual ments to produce nitrogen salts, and substances which are gaseous or the balance of hydrogen and oxygen caustic but will be the equivalent form water. quantities of their respective salts. Soluble nitrogen salts are taken up Ionization and Ion Exchange by plant roots within a very short time, but the quantity of any nutrient Most elements are not available to material which a plant can absorb at plants in the free state, or even com­ one time is limited. A moderate ex­ bined with other elements in com­ cess of soluble nitrogen can com­ pounds. Usually they must be in bine with other soil constituents, but ionic form dissolved in soil water, in these reactions are easily reversible, order to be taken up by plant roots . so any considerable excess will be An element becomes an ion 'either wasted either by leaching or by oxi­ by gaining or losing an electron in its dation to volatile oxides of nitrogen. outer atomic shell. If an electron is Chemical analysis of fairly ferti·le soil gained the atom becomes a negative shows that nearly all of the nitrogen ion and if one is lost the atom be­ is in organic form. The amount of comes a positive ion. In either case inorganic nitrogen immediately the electrically neutral atom be­ available to plants usually is less comes a charged particle. A salt is a than one per cent. For this reason compound containing an acidic inorganic nitrogen fertilizers are negative portion and a basic positive more advantageously applied in fre­ portion. The portions may cOflsist quent small doses. either of single atoms or groups of Since the supply of natural ferti­ atoms. In the dry state salts are elec­ lizer material is becoming scarcer trically neutral, because their posi­ due to the increasi ng u rb a.n ization of tive and negative portions balance our society fertilizer manufacturers each other, but when the salts are have been seeking methods of pro­ dissolved in water their positive and ducing slow-release nitrogen com­ negative portions separate as ions pounds. The most successful of and migrate separately through the these is ureaform, compounded solution. For example, the salt potas­ from urea and formaldehyde. In soil sium phosphate dissociates in water it decomposes slowly releasing as positive potassium ions and nega­ ammonia and carbon dioxide. Urea­ tive phosphate ions. Each of the form is considered by some gar­ latter consists of a single phosphorus deners to be usefu I as a ferti I izer for atom combined with four oxygen lawn grasses where a constant atoms. Some elements have the supply of nitrogen is needed ability to form a part of either a posi­ throughout the growing season . tive or negative ion, depending on In addition to nitrogen, phos­ the characteristics of the elements phorus and potassium are required with which they are combined. The in relatively large amounts, and con­ salt ammonium nitrate dissociates

28 sequently they are also likely to be into positive ammonium ' ions (one nitrogen atom with four hydrogen atoms) and negative nitrate ions (one nitrogen atom w ith three o xygen atoms). Ions are attracted to other ions when their charge signs are different and repelled from each other when their charge signs are simi lar. There­ fore ions lying upon a root surface ca n capture oppositely charged ions of nutrient materials. One might ask w hy migrating ions do not join their original partners. Some of them do, but ions vary in the stren gth of thei r dead plant and animal material charges, and a strongly charged ion (large orga nic molecules) can displace a weaker one bearing a similar charge sign and take its posi­ / autolys is, oxidation, reducti on, double decomposition, etc. tion in a compound. This is ca lled ion exchange. The exchange of ions / on root surfaces with those in soil parti ally decomposed manure compost substances and the attraction of products :ules) /' oppositely charged ions by root-sur­ (medium siTd orga nic mOlec./' ./ face ions are the principal mecha­ n isms for the uptake of nutrient ma­ co ntinued chemical terials by plants. ! ~ti o n s as above Since most of the plant' s food is absorbed from moist soi l in the form inorganic products inorganic ferti lizers of ions it is well to consider the prin­ (s mall inorganic molecules) ciples of solubi lity and ionization. When a soluble so lid comes in con­ ~h Y droI YS i S ' ionizatiol tact with water the molecules of the ~ solid dissolve and distribute them­ . selves uniformly among the water MgH , Ca++, NO;, PO---, etc. molecules as solute molecules. At (ions) the same time some of the so lute molecules come back out of so lu­ 'tion and precipitate on the solid. It is Flow chart showing the course of degradation of organic residues to soluble a dynamic condition . However, ions. Energy is released at each step in digestion. more molecules of solid wil l dis­ solve than precipitate until the equi­ librium point is reached. At this point the number of molecules dis­ solving will exactly equal the number precipitating, and the solu­ tion is said to be saturated. If the solid is one which ionizes it will dis­ solve as positive and negative ions instead of solute molecules, and these ions will re-join upon precipa­ tion, but other conditions will re­ main the same. If we take a dozen different ioniz­ able compounds, some of which have either acidic or basic groups in common, and dissolve them to­ gether in water, then evaporate r 29 some of the water until solid matter begins to precipitate the first com­ pound to appear will be that formed by the pair of positive and negative ions whose concentrations, in the Soil type quantity of water remaining at that Material Particle size (mm.) Clay loam Sandy loam Silt loam time, multiplied together will have the lowest value . This value is % known as the solubility product for Clay Smaller than 0.002 la-l Si that particular pair of ions, and it wi II always be constant at a specific temperature. The first compound to Silt precipitate may be different from any of those originally dissolved, in which case the positive portion Sand came from one of the original com­ pounds and the negative portion from another. As more water is Pebbles Larger tham 2.0 (Pebbles fl ot consideredj evaporated other oppositely charged ions will pair up, precipitate succes­ sively in the order of increasing solu­ Table of soil "Separates" which are the rock particles of various sizes that bility products. When all of the combine to make up the mineral fraction of soil. water has evaporated the total weight of material recovered will be the same as that originally dissolved, but some or all of the compounds may differ from the original ones.

Per cent Per cent These facts are important in plant Material bywei,sht by volume nutrition because a substance must be in solution before it can be ab­ r Mifleral matter (density 2.7) 83 38 sorbed by plant roots. Compounds differ in the extent to

Orgaflic matter (density 0 . .5) 12 which they ionize in water. Salts ionize completely, some organic acids and bases ionize partially, but Water (density 1.0) 12 15to :3 5* most organic compounds do not ionize at all. Soluble compounds of Ai ~ 35 to 15 the latter type merely become solute molecules in water. For a compound *When the water CGlntent falls below 15 % ion migration is retarded. When it rises above 35% which ionizes partially in solution (Qot cells begin to suffocate from lack gf oxygen. the proportion which ionizes at a specific temperature is called the ion ization constant of that com­ Percentages and volumes of various components of soil. The mineral matter pound. includes all separates identified in the Table of Soil Separates; organic matter Very few elements exist alone. includes living microorganisms and organic residues from dead organisms; Mineral ions and soluble organic residues are dissolved in the soil water; Nearly all of them are found com­ some of the soil "air" also is dissolved in the soil solution, and water vapor is bined with other elements. The two one of the atmospheric gasses found in the air fraction. most plentiful elements, oxygen and silicon, combine to form silicon ox­ ide, or quartz. Sand is about ninety­ nine per cent silicon oxide, the rest being a mixture of oxides of other elements. Sand consists of coarse, hard particles which water does not penetrate. Sand is chemically inert except under very drastic condi­ 30 tions. Its chief value in soil is in promoting drainage and ae rat ion, 6 to 7 .. However some plants, such but too much permits leaching of as aza leas for example, grow best in nutrient materi al and rapid drying of so i I of pH 4 to 5, w hereas I i lacs th e so il. prefer soi l of pH 8 or 9. The reaso n :s that the ava il ability of certa in nu­ Clay Colloids trient ions required by these plants is Th e largest component of the av­ highest in the pH ranges specified. erage so il consists of the clays, of Water and gases also were stated which there are many different to be components of so il. Without types. Practically all of them contain water plants dry up and die. Not si licon, aluminum, and oxygen. In only do root ce ll s require water to add ition some clays conta in one or I ive but in the absence of water the more of the elements magnesium, formation, migration and exchange iron or titanium. A common prop­ of ions becomes impossible. In fact erty of c lays is very sma ll particle many plants can be grown in water size and the ab ility to absorb water. without soi l if they are supported Sometimes the partic les are so tiny upright and the necessary chemicals that they are c lassed as colloids. The are periodically added to the water. particles of a true colloid have such Soi l gases are essentia ll y the same small mass that they do not settle in as those of the atmosphere, namely water but remain suspended by the nitrogen and oxygen in proportions water molecul es aga in st the force of of about four to one. About one-half gra vity. When the amount of water per cent ca rbon dioxide also is nor­ is small in proportion to the amount mally present, but in cases of poor of c lay the c lay swe lls, form in g a aeration th is ca n in crease t" five per st icky gel. C lay particles usual ly ce nt or more at the expense of oxy­ bear either positive o r negative gen. It is necessary for air to pene­ c harges. This ca n be caused by trate the so il in order to supply oxy­ collection of a preponderance of gen to the livi ng cells of the plant ions of either kind on the particles' roots. Oxygen is needed also for surfaces, or to imbalance of atom ic many c hem ical reactions contin­ charges within the crysta l lattice of ually taking place in so il. Atmo­ th e compound. The net c harge sp heric nitrogen must be present in usually is negative if the so il is alka­ so il in ord er to be acted upon by the line and positive if the so il is ac idic. nitrogen-fixing bacteri a. In either case the ch arge signs ca n On a vol ume bases the average be altered by add in g acidic or so il conta ins about thirty-eight per alkaline substa nces to the so il . From ce nt mineral matter and abo ut this it is easy to understa nd how the twelve per ce nt organic material. clays play such an important role in The remaining fifty per cent is the storage of soil nutrients and also most ly air and water, varying be­ how changes in so il acidity or alkal­ tween fifteen and th i rty-five per ce nt inity can alter the availability of cer­ of each. When water is lost by tain nutrients to plants. drainage or is taken up by plants it is replaced by the same volume of air. Soil Acidity Then when water is added an eq ual In chemistry the degree of acidity volume of air is driven out, and the or alkalinity is expressed by the proportions change accordingly. symbol pH followed by a number In discussing this very complex ranging from 0 to 14. The neutral subject of soil chemistry I have point is pH 7. Acidity increases as avoided the use of technical lan­ the numbers become lower th an 7, guage as much as possible, and I and alkalinity increases as they be­ had to omit many detai Is for the sake come greater than 7. The range of of brevity. But the main principles soi I pH for growi ng nearly all plants are covered. If add itional informa­ I ies between pH 4- pH 9, and for the tion is desired on a particular point it majority of plants the optimum is pH can be found readily in any library .~ 31 Photos courtesy of CIBA ·GEICY Corporation . Micronulrienls and Planl Nulrilion

Fred R. Oavis** Copper deficiency of corn.

Plants require several mineral elements for normal growth. Some elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and sulfur are needed in relatively large amounts and these are called the "majorl/ elements, while the elements, swch as iron, boron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, molybdenum and copper are needed in very small amounts and are called " micronutrientsl/. Some people may be skeptical about micronutrient supplements in plant nutrition, saying "their effect .is rather unimportant and not measurablel/. Re­ search scientists long have had evidence, both laboratory and field testing, to show that micronutrients are beneficial to plant growth and reproduction. My own experience in growing rhododendrons has borne out the need for micronu­ trients to correct the chlorotic (yellowing) condition that sometimes exists. The purpose of this article is to discuss the functions and deficiency symptoms of several of the micron utrients.

Magnesium and Its Functions Some consider this element to be one of the major elements, but I wi II discuss its role as a micronutrient. Magnesium plays two very essential roles in the processes of photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. Magnesium is the metal atom in the chlorophyll molecule without which photosynthesis would not occur. Magnesium also serves as an activator in carbohydrate metabolism, e.g. glucose + ATP*M£; glucose-6-P. Magnesium serves as an activator for those enzymes involved in the synthesis of the nucleic acids (RNA, DNA*) from nucl€otide polyphosphates. Magnesium also may be involved in protein synthesis serving as a binding agent in the microsomal particles.

Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms Magnesium deficiencies show up as extensive chlorisis between the veins of the leaves. Chlorisis is followed by the appearance of anthocyanin pigments in the leaves such as the oranges, reds and purples. Whenever a severe deficiency exists, necrotic spotting (small patches of dead tissues) may be observed. This deficiency is best corrected by using a soluble magnesium salt, e.g. magnesium sulfate.

Iron and Its Functions Iron serves a number of important functions in the overall metabolism of the plant. Chemists say that iron is frequently taken up in the trivalent state (Fe" ' ), but is generally accepted in the divalent state (Fe" ) as the metabolically active form of ' ATP = Adenos ine Triphosphate RNA = Ribonu cleic Acid iron in the plant. Its chemical role both in the synthesis and degradation of DNA = Desoxyribonucleic Acid chlorophyll is still uncertain. Several researchers feel that iron functions in the synthesis of chloroplastic protein and thus may interfere with chlorophyll 32 **Physical Chemist, Kent, Ohio. synthesis. Magnesium deficiency of corn. Manganese deficiency of corn.

Iron has been identified as a component in the metalloflavoproteins which are active as enzymes in certain biological oxidations. Iron has been found in the iron-porphyrin proteins; the cytochromes belong to this enzyme class.

Iron Deficiency Symptoms Iron deficiencies of plant leaves appear as extensive chlorosis in the foliage. The new foliage is generally most affected, although I have seen both old and new foliage affected to about the same extent on rhododendron. Iron-induced chlorosis will show up in the interveinal structure of the leaf and the surface of the leaf usually shows a grid network of green veins between the chlorotic areas. There appears to be some correlation between iron deficiency and chloro­ phyll content, but there is other evidence that chlorotic leaves may contain as much or even more iron than their green counterparts. It has been proposed that the lack of iron may inhibit the formation of chlorophyll through inhibition of protein synthesis. Iron deficiencies in many plants can be corrected by the use of chelated iron compounds. Some of the early work with ornamentals was done using the iron salts of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. My own experience with these types of compounds for rhododendron has shown a favorable response to correcting chlorosis and producing increased bud set. It is important to realize here that these metal chelates can be toxic to the plant if used indiscriminately. Toxic doses produce withered and curled leaves with browning at the edges. The toxicity is probably related to electrolyte disturbance or unbalance and enzyme inhitibion.

Manganese and Its Function Manganese seems to be an essential ion in the respiration and nitrogen rl)etabolism where it functions as an enzyme activator. In some cases, especially with reactions in respiration, manganese can be replaced by other divalent

H cations, such as Mg" , Zn" and Fe • Manganese functions in nitrate reduction where it acts as an activator for the enzymes nitrite reductase and hydroxylamine reductase. The preference of amonia over nitrate as a n.itrogen source by" manganese deficient cells supports the above mention@d role of manganese. Manganese is also thought to be involved in the destruction or oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid.

Manganese Deficiency Symptoms Manganese deficiency is characterized by chlorotic and nectrotic areas in the portions of the leaf between the veins. This symptom appears on the young leaves of rhododendron, rather than the older leaves. I find that symptoms of manganese deficiency often are difficult to distinguish from symptoms of iron deficiency. In ~ 33 Iron deficiency of rose. Iron deficiency of soybean. Iron deficiency of corn.

some areas of the U .S. , grapes suffer from a manganese deficiency. This deficiency is b€lst corrected by using one of the soluble manganese chelates.

Copper and Its Function Copper acts as a component of phenolases <'lnd ascorbic acid oxidose (enzymes), and its role as a part of these enzymes probably represents the most important function of copper in plants. Research suggests that copper may function in photosynthesis. For example, it was found that the chloroplasts of clover contain most of the copp€r of the plant. Most plants are very sensitive to the concentration of copper irons, so one must be careful in its use .

Copper Deficiency Symptoms Copper deficiency usually results in shriv€lling or malformation of the leaves along with tip burn. The most easily recognized symptoms of copper deficiency are those in a disease of fruit trees called "exanthema". A copper deficiency in almonds may result in roughening of the bark, gummosis and shriveling of the k@rnels . Copper deficiencies are corrected by using soluble copper chelates, e.g., copper ethylenediamine tetraacetate.

Zinc and Its Function Zinc plays a role in protein synthesis as evidenced by the accumulation of soluble nitrogen compounds such as amino acids and amides. Zinc participates in the biosynthesis of the plant auxin indole-3-acetic acid. This was proved by observing that the content of tryptophan parallels the content of auxin in the plant, both when zinc is deficient and when it is supplied to deficient plants. It has been concluded that zinc reduces auxin content through its involvement in the synthesis of tryptophan, a precursor of the auxin. Zinc is also involved in the metabolism of plants as an activator of several enzymes. Carbonic anhydrase was the first zinc containing enzyme to be discovered. This enzyme is involved in the catalytic decomposition of carbonic acid to carbon dioxide and water. An accumulation of inorganic phosphorous in zinc deficient tomato plants indicates that zinc could act as an activator for some phosphate tmnsferring enzyme, such as hexose kinase .

Zinc Deficiency Symptoms Zinc deficiency is sometimes referred to as " rosette" or " little leaf disease". It is most evident in older leaves as chlorosis, necros·is or mottling of the leaves. The interveinal areas turn pale green to yellow; the leaf margins become irregular. The absence of zinc also may have a retarding effect on growth and the development of fruit. The use of soluble zinc chelates as in soil applications or foliar 34 applications will correct the deficiency. Iron deficiency of sorghum. Zinc deficiency of corn. Zinc deficiency soybean, zinc treated plants at right.

Researchers have conc luded that boron is in volved in ca rbohydrate transpo rt Boron and Its Function within the plant. They believe that the borate ion forms a complex with the sugar molecule. They propose th at sugar is transported more read ily across ce ll membranes as a borate complex. The co mmon features of boron deficiency in pl ants are th e death of the stem and root tips and the absciss ion of flowers. Symptoms of boron deficiency are sy mptoms of sugar defi ciency. The role of boron in sugar translocation has been supported using C14 labe led sucrose.

Boron and Its Deficiencies The first visible sign of boron deficiency is the death of the shoot tip. The leaves may have a thi ck coppery texture with curling. Generall y, flowers do not form and root growth is stunted. In fles hy organs, there is a disintegration of internal tissues resulting in cork form ation in apples and water core in turnips. Boron deficiencies ca n be corre cted by using sod ium tetraborate or boric ac id .

Molybdenum and Its Functions Molybdenum is involved in the nitrogen fixation and nitrate ass imilat ion. Some in vestigators have found that molybdenum deficiency leads to a decrease in the conce ntration of ascorbic acid in the pl ant. There is some evidence that molybdenum is involved in the phosphorous metaboli sm of the plant, but the mechani sm has not been explai ned. Molybdenum Deficiency Symptoms A condition due to molybdenum defic iency known as "whiptai l" occurs in some plants of the cabbage family. The leaves first show an interveinal mottling and le af margins become brown. The leaf tissues w ither, leavin g only the midrib and a few small pieces of leaf blade, giving the appearance of a whip or tail. Molybdenum deficienc ies ca n be corrected by using a so luble molybdenum salt, e.g. sodium molybdate. I conclude with a few words about nutrient translocation. First, let me say that the dynamics of plant nutrition is not completely understood. The mechanism for translocation of the nutrient molecule or iron involve diffusion and the develop­ ment of osmotic pressure gradients. If one considers diffusion to be the predomi­ nate tran sport process, then the nutrient molecule is trapped at a reactive site. The energy for this process is derived from metaboli sm . All translocation through the phloem generally involves osmotic pressure gradients developed by concentra­ tion field gradients across cell and tissue membranes. It is difficult to predict the re sponse of the plant to the nutrient, because at the lack of a sat isfactory translocation mechanism. The pH, geometry and size, charge and so lutility of the nutrient molecule all play an important ro le.

Richard A. Brown *

Photo by author. American Horticultural Society Plant Records Center In an age when computers are guiding men through space, scrutinizing our income tax returns, analyzing our insurance needs, and even preparing our all-too­ frequent bills, it may not be too surprising to learn that a computer is presently being programmed to monitor the ornamental plant resources of North America. There are more than 100 botanic gardens and arboreta within the United States, which, if considered in combination, are likely cultivating over 1,000,000 plant specimens. It is reasonable to assume that, considering this wealth of plant material, a specimen of almost any cultivated plant might be found in one or more of these collections, if one knew where to look.

*Oirector, Th e America n Horticul­ tural Society Plant Records Center, 36 M ount Vern on, Virginia 22 72 7. th e fun ctional level, th e Pl ant Rec­ Historical Background ords Center (P.R.C.) of th e Ameri can Recognizing th e value of th ese Horti c ultural So c iety, contingent collections and the wealth of infor­ upon acceptable annual reports of mation they represent, a feas i bi I ity progress. study was initiated in 1966 to con­ On April 1, 1973, the A.H.S.­ sider the concept of an International P.R. C. concluded its third yea r of Plant Records Compilation Center, operation, sixth yea r of ex istence­ prompted by a report presented by aft e r a n in ves tm e nt o f ov e r Robert D. MacDonald* at the XVII $ 76 0, 000, and afte r more th an International Horticultural Congress . 1 70,000 pl ant record s w ere pro­ Through the efforts of Dr. Ri chard A. cessed. With the notabl e changes Howard, Director of the Arnold achieved durin g th e pas t twelve Arboretum, funds were received for months, fi sca l yea r IV (April 1, 1973 this study from the American Asso­ through M arch 3 1, 1974) promi ses ciation of Botanical Gardens and to be a significa nt step tow ard s the Arboreta (A.A.B.G.A.) representing ultimate success projected for th e donations from eleven of its member ten yea r program , marked by th e institutions. move of th e P.R.C. to its new While the A.A.B.G.A. w as in­ "home" within th e A .H .S. hea d­ volved in this fea sibility study, th e quarters at M o unt Vern on, Virginia. Long Range Planning Committee of Here, with a new staff of ass istants the American Horticultural Society and equipment operato rs, trained (A.H .S.) was considering a data pro­ within a frame-work of updated op­ cessing center as one of its objec­ erating polic ies and principles, th e tives. An effort to coordinate the ac­ P.R.C. anticipates a growing pro­ tivities of the A.A.B.G.A. and the gram of se rvi ces. plans of the A.H.S. began on January Program Objectives 28, 1967, by Dr. David G. Leac h, then Chairman of the Long Range Th e P.R.C. has three prin c iple Planning Committee. objectives, the first of which focuses The resu It of these efforts was the on the es tablishment of a standard formation of a joint A .A .B.G.A.­ system for the recording of informa­ A.H.S. Plant Records Center Advi­ tion relating to plant access ions. To sory Council in October, 1967. meet this objective the P.R .C. in its Meeting at Longwood Gardens on early pilot study stages, reviewed December 3rd, of that year, the over 100 accession record systems. 'council decided that a grant pro- As a result of this study, a "stan­ posal would be submitted to Long­ dard" accession card was devel­ wood Foundation, Inc. and if ac­ oped that would satisfy two design cepted, a Plant Records Center Pilot requirements. First, the card was Project would be established under designed to provide for the consis­ the administration of the A.H.S. tent, uniform entering of informa­ On July 15, 1968, the grant pro­ tion, that was determined to be of posal was indeed accepted, and the principle importance to most institu­ Plant Records Center Pilot Project tions. became operational. Longwood Second, the card was prepared as Foundation provided $90,000 to the a two-part form (original and carbon A.H.S. to finance the two-year pilot copy): the original, file copy to be study which would utilize the acces­ maintained by the institution pre­ sion records of Longwood Gardens pari ng the record ; the carbon copy · M r. Robert D. MacDonald, th en Ass istant Profess or as its data base . to be forwarded to the P. R.C. for of Fo restry and Director of the Arboretum a t th e Un iversity of Tenness ee, became the first Director The two-year pi lot project was so processing into the data bank. To of th e Pl ant Records Ce nter and served ill that ca­ successful that, when again ap­ assist the recorder in the operation pa city through 1972. proached for financial assistance in of completing the card, the P.R.C. 1970, Longwood Foundation agreed provides an instruction manual to provide $1 ,835,600 to expand to which, in detail, describes how the 37 PA GE ~67 "UN U· T[ 16/07/73 PLA NT RECOPOS CENTER MASTER DATA FILE SOUf:·C<· _.. --_ .. FAMlL.Y GARDr N _ACCf-.55 I ON f',! U . - ______- __ • ______----- SCIEN TIFIC NAM E ---.------~-.--- 7';>?\ 0960 6~6 7J 7~:» 0955 71.107 75?3 GRF.VILLEA ~JODOSA 66328 GH"VI LLE A OBTUSIFOLIA 09 6 0 STRYIl ING .\r.. G 7?, 3 0925 6Q-3 tl 'i 7"'~- C-Hr.V IL LEA OBTU3IFOLIA 96 9 GHEV IL LEA PANICULATA GREVI LLE A PUN1CEA LASCA 75"3 00;80 N- 44 UNKNOwN 7?~3 RO BUS Th 0925 XY-21 8 3 70; " 3 GREV I LLE.A 0960 PRC 2062 7 ",., 3 r. RrV IL LEh ROBU STA fl LJ" I ~ETT ROBUS TA 0570 C;6176~ LA :,CA 7S?3 Gf{rVI LLEA 0360 63 40; 75:?3 GRFVILLEA ROBUSTA TUtlNl?liS ~! FL h R08USTA 0?60 65259 7'>:>3 C-KEVILLEA 0960 pRC 2n63 7"" 3 GREVI LLEA R08UfiTh UNKNOWN ROSHA RI N!FOLIA 0580 6~-P- 2 3 UNKNOWN 75?3 GREV1LLE A 0925 xY- 21R4 7~ ? 3 ROSMhR IN1F OL1A 'I N''''l\ l nwt~ GRFVILLEA XY -2i n5 75?3 GREVIL LEA ROS MAR INIF OLIA 0925 ROS I1A R! NI FOL I A rK ;.; 75?J GREVILLEA 7 :"3 GRFVILLEA ROSMARINIFOL !A 5P 7 5'3 GREVI LLE A 7 ~'3 GRFVILLEA 7'c>.? J C:REV \LLEA ,wr RS N 75 21 r.REVi LLE A 7 ~, : ~ GREVILlEA 75?:3 GREVILLEA PI< 1\ LS ~J 75,3 GREV!LLEA 7~? :! GREVi LLI::A 7S?} (,REVIl.LEA PROTEA 92"!3 GR EVIl.LEA 9~I\J GREV IL.L EA 1523 91.<5 GR EliiA AS . 92.4:\ GREII \A AS } 5IL K- OAK 921:1 GREW t A tlll nu GRrW I A t11L ?L~J GHFW IA HIL M7 iN "'J, MBiNE 12" ) GREW IA til GREW! A lI I CHEWIA \31L H. BODGER

./ Accession Card, Side B I AD DITIONAL INF-ORMATION ~vmet rical ~ramida l f somewhat open vi i th aqe o ~ m ~h7n 1J 0';lnn· ber;ome!'i ta 11 nArrnw and . d • 00 1S br1ttl d · W1n • Pruninq will helD e an w1ll b rea k in hinh ouic k-arowin a ", rrep.n or ~~:e:ha; t o reduce breakaoe F:· n p for nermanen+ trF'P" rip",,] nn Ti l1pr ,hi 1 " mnr" H"'r~s ;:m~~r:r ,nr""" whe n mRture ~"nr""c: F • +n .,h~ ,.j. 1 n -

Additional I nformation is available on: F ield Code Item Fie ld Code Item F ie ld Code I tem F ield Code Item 1 ~ Nomenclature 8 Herb . Voucher 15 Ph otographs 2 Location 9 lit. Reference 16 H ow Received ~. Source 10 ~ Propagation 17 Distribution 4 Habitat 11 Performance 18 'd:n

.. E ~ 111111 obvious, objective of the P. R.C. is to ,",,,on I • I .,,,,,,,, ,. , I""''' ~.. I develop a data bank on the culti­ o0 ~ 0 GOO 0 00 0 c a (l 0 0 0000 DO C 0 0 0 U0 0 0 0 0 ', ( .. I)! n:~~, \c7:",~.~1;. I HI U II(I) 1 1 ' • ~ ~ '9 In It" ,) I "S • I, • I '. r. 0 0 0 0 0 0 {} U0 0 0 3 0 0 0 il 00 1 10 vated orn amental plants of North 1 I , I I 1 I I I I 1 I I I I I 1 I I ',~ I ; 1 l' t;; 1," "~I JC " 'J "It III II 11 ·l.1 ~ I " 'I~ ., _, J'~ 0 .~ ~ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ro oI 0 0 0 0 I 1 , I I 1 I " 1 I 1 I 11 I 1 ' / 1 , , J I 'J I I II (I" •• I " ' .. I'~' " I '" I I~ 11.\ .0 America. Cu rrently th i rty-fou r bo­ 212111ZZ112111112111211? 212 21 ?21 , 1 II II '1""'1" 1"" " ' " ,, , . '11 111111Z1?11' 211" '? I tanic ga rd ens and arboreta are coop­ ;;; 3JJj)l)))1))))JJ)))) I)Jl)ll)) . • • <111 ,1.2 1211111111171111111 ' cr • J1l) ))))) l) J) J J 1 ) ' ))) ' l) ) . ) • erating w ith the P.R.C. in this pro­ j 4H4H4'114HHHH4'lH444HI ., . • I 1 l .l )))))))))))) ) ))))J) ' ]) ,'i ... 4 ...11 -1 44 1 ~ ~ 4 ¢ 4'4 4 4 ~ 4 4 4 Q gram . To date, the P.R.C. has 5 5 5 5 5 5 55 , 5 5 , 5 5 5 5 5 \ 5 5 \ 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 I, i 4 4 4 I 4 4 'I , 4 ,I 4 4 4 4 4 4 " 4 ~ 4 4 ~ 4 4 4 4 4 4 " 5055 5555555555555 ' 55 '555"' 5' • seventeen coll ections tota Ily pro­ 666666666066666666 S 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 616 6 ', I I '. 5 5555555555555555:5 ' 555 ., 666 6666666 666 S 6 66 16 6 cessed, representing some 170,000 77777777777777777777 I 717 7 7 7111'1 ~ 6666666666666666 6 6666 66 6 ' 6 17177171717117 177~117 accession records, with an addi­ 888888888888888888888888 8886888 . 777711717771771177717777711 888888888888888888888 1 ~S;~~~999999999999q",,,", . ... _ . I 8888888888 ..... " .. ", .. .. . tional five projects at varying stages of completion represe nting an addi­ P".! t tion a I 10, 000 accessio n records. .11.' ".., ,, .'. '"' I' • • •• • c"'''· ·...... g ,. Generally spea ki ng, the information • 0 0 0 0 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 r. 0 0 0 GOO 0 0 0 u0 0 0 0('0 0 • 0 II 0, • 0 0 • 00 II ~. 0 ~ • U 0 0 0 ~ 0 0 0 0 ,0 ~, 0, 00 0 Q COO 0 0 O. u • 0000 record ed and processed on anyone ; ;; ; ; ~ i,;; I I~ '; , , '; '; ; ': '; '; '; ';'1 ~ I '; '; '1, I , • ; 'I"; , I . ' ; 'I , '; i';' 1 'j'l , • 'i ; , I , ii' I I , I , I I I I , , , I , I , I , I I I access ion cons ists of: ' 11 ' 111 ' 11111 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1111 21, 1 2 11 2 2 11 2 11 2 1 11111 ' 1 1 2 11 ' 22 1 ; 1111 2 11 1 1 2 11111111 1ill1l1 ga rden (collection) code ,., ) 1 ' 1 ) ) 1 )) 1 ) 1 3 ) 111 j 3 ) 1 3J ) 11 1 1 ) ) 1) ) 3 1 3 ' ) ) ) j 311 ) 1 ) l ' ) ) ) 3 j ) 1 ; 3 ) ) 1 3 3 ) j 3 J 3 ) 3 : j 1 : ) )1) ) . ) . ~. sc ientific name ~ 4 ~ 4 4 4 'I 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 01 4 4 :1 4 4 4 4 , 4 4 4 It 4 4 4 4jl 4 4 ~ ~ 4 I ~ 4 4 4 :; 4 ~ 4 4 4 4 14 4 4 4 ~ 4 4 4 4 4 4 4.'. , 4 4 4 4 ~ 4 ~ 4 4 4 1 4 ~ 4 4 4 4 .~ authority ; 5 5 5 5 5 ; 5 5 5 5 5 i 5 5 5 ~ 5 5 5 ; 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 ~5 5 S' 5 5 5 5 511 ; 5 5 5 5 \ 5 5 \ 5 555 5 5 5 555 \ 5 5 5 5 5 ; 555 5 5 5 5 5 5 ' 5 5 5 accession number 666 16 . 66 6666~iG66656666666666~6 666 . 66E66666666 . 6666G . 6666 666666 66 56666&66 666&6 ' 6 family name 7777 7 7717 77 7 7 7 77 7 7 7 7 7 7 77 j 7 7 7 77:7 ' 7 77 777 77 7 77 ' 717777 7 7 7 7 77 7 7 7 7 77 7 77 7 7177 7 7 i 7 717171 7 common name .. • . • • • • • • ." . ,," ,. i 8 i 8 S 8 8 8883888888888,58888 source ______~~.J..III location within the collection

. ----.~-~ ~"~ l. ~'iJ ·1 - r ' oL'nc[ '"H O ~ ::::-1~o..:~r .... ,.J. ~ (~ country of origin ('('DC 10 O ~~OO O ~QCOGOijCOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'OO O OOOOODOOC~OOOOOOOOOO O O 0 0 number received ,. - I S g, ~ :lGI1')'JI"~·~!1o.:;]:C:l.i:! .~!;; :~7';:~C':: II ~";;~."ll~,q ~'II~ I;,,,;,,,,,, .. p," o ~ 0 0 0 0 0 0'11 r G 0 I 0 0 0 0 , , I I I I , I , I I , 1 I , I 1 , 1 Ii' I Ii i I , I , , I , I , I , ' , , i , I 1 , I I , ; I ;i "" '1 '; I "'.!(~(Ih': how received 2 1 2 11 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 11 121 2 11 22 1111111 2 111 2 1 2 1/11 2 , ,12 , 2 2 11111 2 1 2 2 Frequently, additional information '<; 3 ~ 1 '11) J 113 .. ... 3 'q 3"' '' 311' r _ I CJ ...... ~ ~",)J y ~~ " .. 3J33J33J 333 333 3 3Jl I 33J333333:J333j31 will be reported rel ating to: number o· I ' I ~ ( 4 4 4 4 4 4 " I~ 4 4 4 4 ,: 4 4 44 4 01 4 4 ., 4 4 ~ 4 ·1 Ii 4 4 I~ 4 ~ 4 ~ 4 ;~ 4 4 J 41 ,1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ~ 4 4 44 4 of herbarium vouchers prepared, if 55555555 555\5555;5555555 55 55 5555,555+5555 55 ' 55555S,5 5 55 any; propagation information; de­ 6566 £, 6 5666 S 6 6 6 6 6 6 G, 5 6 6 6 6 E 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 & , 6 6i, 6 & S' 6 6 C 6 6 S, 6 S 6 6 6 6 6 sc riptive information; and collection 7 77771177 7777 1777/777771 7777777117777! data. Once processed, anyone or more of these items of information may form the basis for the preparation of o 'II IOIIDO&DOO OO~I O OI QOOO~~~ a computer generated report (data 11 _ $~1 ~llnl! 17C!!~ I ~ :rB~~:.~nl\1~.1., I i I i 11 , 111 11 111 ! I I II ! III II I 1 listing or printout) representing one 22 1 22212 2 ; 21.1 1 111211227.11222 or more collections. 333 1 33 1 3 3 333333 j 3 3 33 33 J 3 3 333 The third objective of the P.R .C. 4 1 4 4 4 <\ 4 ~ 4 4 4 1. 4 4 4 4 4 4 .'\ 4 I; 4 4 4 .~ It " ~ is, perhaps, its most significant one. 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 ~ 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 :1 ~) 5 5 5 5 5 The P. R.C. through use of its modern 6L ~ ~r, 6 G 5SG 56 6:i 6 GS( 6 S ~EGS~Ut: ii equipment and data handling tech­ 7 17 7ll 'iJ7Ji I n 7 7171 7 77111 P7 niques, is establishing an informa­ 8 ! B ! 6 8 ! 6 3 3 6 ~ 1 5 1 0 6 6 8 i 8 & 6 ! 6 3 S S tion center ~esigned to service three ~ '9 1 ' s I 99S99'99999S;~ '9 9~ " ~; ~ ! ~ 7. I :; ~ Ir !j 11 I: ~ 1 5 ' ~ ;l l ~lilO'l:i1?~ ! I ~~ ; S; 1 , current requirements. r 39 :II .. II ~~!!~ . First, the P.R.C offers an acces­ garden and microfilming all records sion recording and reporting system pertaining to the living plant collec­ to botan ic garden and arboreta tion. After microfilming has been management. As a records-manage­ accomplished, the garden begins ment consulting organization, the using the standard P.R .C accession P.R.C offers assistance to meet spe­ card for all new accessions and fol­ cial record needs. Recently devel­ lows the procedure outlined above. oped computer programs have When information is received proven to be valuable tools for through the use of the P.R.C stan­ gardEln management by providing dard accession card, the following detailed reports on the living collec­ steps are taken in the preparation of tion on a timely, economical basis. the information. First, each card is Second, the P.R.C offers special given a seqU(mtial P.R.C identifica­ assistance to institutions which re­ tion number. This operation is nec­ quire additional services beyond the essary so that P.R.C punch cards normal scope of the P.R.C program. may be collated by the computer, at By using available statistical analysis a later step in the operation, to form computer programs or other" pack­ complete records, regardless of the aged" computer programs, the sequence by which the pwnch cards P.R.C can process data files other are submitted to the computer. In than plant accession records, and addition, this number serves as a assist in the analysis of special re­ convenient reference code so that search projects. In this capacity, the an original, P.R.C accession card P.R.C offers the benefits of com­ may be readily locat@d and refer­ puter processing to any of its coop­ enced to any given punch card. erators. Through the use of a mechanical Third, the P.R.C will disseminate hand stamp, about 10,000 records a information to the scientific, profes­ day can be numbered by one sional, and amateur communities, person. which draw on the botanical disci­ After numbering, the accession plines for information and materials. cards are ed ited by the appropriate In this effort, the P.R.C will prepare P.R.C staff to insure that all data and offer checkl ists and i nd ices to have been entered correctly. At this important horticultural plant groups. point, certain codes are entered on A directory to plant sources is an­ the record to indicate what various other objective bei ng considered. kinds of information (other than the Currently, for a nominal fee , the required basic information) are P.R.C is in a position to handle spe­ present on the record. Next, the ed­ cial requests for botanical informa­ ited cards are given to a keypunch tion (primarily, sources of plant ma­ operator so that the basic i nforma­ terial) from botanic gardens, tion entered on the records may be arboreta, and research workers. keypunched and prepared for pro­ cessing. After keypunching, the Outline of Operation punched cards are key verified-a Information is received by the process performed on special key­ P.R.C in two ways. One way is punch machines. This second step through the use of the standardized eliminates over 90% of the errors card as filled in by a garden. Cards created during the initial punch card are sent to the P.R.C only when the preparation stage. Once key­ accessions (plant acquisitions) have punched and key verified, the achieved a degree of relative per­ punched cards are "fed" to a card manence in the collection. These reader attached to the P.R.C com­ cards are sent to the P.R.C in puter terminal (a device, which, batches, usually according to prear­ through the use of a standard tele­ ranged schedules. The second way phone, "communicates" to a com­ in which the P.R.C receives infor­ puter facility located in New Jersey) . 40 mation is by P.R.C staff going to a The card reader senses the punched holes of the cards, transmits the in­ five different punch ca rd s. O nly one cooperatin g botanic ga rden s, it is formation to the main terminal hard­ type of ca rd is keypunched at a time also used to se rvi ce sp.ec ific req uests ware where a .sto red computer pro­ by a particular keypunch operator. for inform at ion received from in st i­ gram conve rt s the punch-coded O ne operator may do on ly Ca rd 1's , tutions other than botanic ga rd ens info rm ati o n into in st ru cti o ns that while another operator is working and arboreta, and from individual guide the P.R.C. line printer (a lso on Card 2's for the records of a par­ resea rch workers. attached to the terminal) to print li st­ ti cular garden. The operators obtain Cost of Services ings displaying the informat ion re­ the necessa ry in form at ion from the corded on th e punched ca rd s. The ga rden accession record s through The P.R .C. has establi shed spe­ terminal, w ith its attac hed ca rd the use of mi crofilm readers, w hi ch cific sc hed ules of costs for use r se r­ re ader and line printer, is capable of are positioned beside each key­ vices, based upon the nature of the read ing and printing the in fo rm ation pun ch. se rvices provided. Under the provi­ on the punched ca rd s at a rate of After the punch cards have been sions of the Longwood Foundation a ppro x im ate l y 300 ca rd s per prepared and ed ited, the records are G rant to the A.H.S. there i s no minute. Th e listings are then given a ready for fi nal processing through c harge for documentation of the c urso ry edit for any remai ning er­ the P.R.C. data terminal. Th e termi­ li ving access ion records of cooperat­ rors. nal, once connected to the remotely ing, nonprofit, educational, charita­ When a ga rd en's record s are mi­ located computer via sta nd ard tele­ ble, or governmental botanic gar­ crofilmed by the P.R. C., a few addi­ phone networks, permits the info r­ dens and arboreta. This operation tion al steps are req uired. Before m at io n that is read fro m th~ includes microfilming all pertinent microfilming, all appropriate staff punched ca rd s by the ca rd reader to access ion record s (when feasible to members of the garden are inter­ be transmitted directly to the com­ do so), and preparing them for data viewed to determine just w hat rec­ puter. The computer, in turn, is pro­ processi ng. ords are prese nt at the ga rd en w h ich grammed to so rt and co llate the The sa me serv ices are offered to pertain to th e li vi ng coll ection of punch card " images" (ca lled trans­ individuals, gardens, or other institu­ plants maintai ned by the ga rd en. actions) , ed it the punched in fo rm a­ tions wh ich uti I ize the se rvices of Once required record s have been tion, producing a " Transaction Error th e P.R .C. on a continuing basis but selected, each record to be micro­ Report", and to prepare a new, w hich do not qualify as being gov­ filmed is given a seq uential P.R.C. mag netic tape fi le fo r the ga rd en ernmental, nonprofit, charitable, or identification number assigned for records. Once the file has been pre­ ed ucation al. For the latter, the the same purposes as w ith the sta n­ pared, and corrections have been P.R.C. does have a fee of from $80 dard accession ca rd . Using an auto­ submitted according to the Transac­ to $100 per 100 records involved. matic ca mera (which photographs ti on Error Report s, the fi Ie is re ady Cooperation with the P.R.C. re­ onto two roll s of film simultane­ for printing final data listings. quires that the user purchase P.R.C. ously) with an automatic document standard accession cards. The cost Data Listings feeder, some 15,000 ca rd s an hour of the cards is five dollars p~r 100 may be photographed by one oper­ Pre se ntly, the P. R.C. has five ca rd s, and includes, for new cooper­ 'a tor with an aide. The ca mera pho­ computer programs which generate ators, the cost for one copy of the tographs both sides of the re cords at reports, inventories or data listings. Accession Manual. Once a garden's the same time, and permits about Four of these programs were de­ records have been microfilmed, the 6,000 records (5in. X 8in. size) to be signed to produce specific li stings P. R.C. accession cards serve to recorded on a single roll of film. which were developed primarily for supply the P. R.C. with information After filming, each roll of film is use by participating gardens as an on subsequent accessions. The Ac­ mailed for processing. The usual internal report system. While the cession Manual, which may be pur­ time required to receive the pro­ information contained in these list­ chased separately at a cost of $2'0, cessed film is three days. Upon re­ ings may be of use to .other gardens, outlines the use of the accession ceipt of the processed film, one roll they are intended primarily to be cards. Revisions or supplements to is filed in a bank safe deposit box, as used as management and research this manual are provided without a safeguard in the event of loss of aids by the staff of the garden whose charge as the P.R .C. system de­ either the original records or the records are reported. The fifth pro­ velops. duplicate roll offilm. gram was developed to handle spe­ The charges for preparing infor­ Processing of the information on cial reporting needs. This program, mation reports generally depends the microfilm begins by giving the which is modified at the time of w;e, upon the number of records con­ film to a keypunch operator for key­ permits an infinite variety of listings tained within the file reported, and punching of data. As with the case of to be produC(~ d. While this program, the number of report copies re­ the standard accession cards, each like the four others, mainly services quested . For most listings, this basi €: plant record requires the use of the information requirements of charge is one cent per record con- ~1 tained within the file, for the first problems surely would be antici­ copy. Additional copies of the same pated. Indeed, some have occurred; I isti ng are charged at the rate of equipment malfunctions and limita­ three-tenths of one cent per rElcord tions are an ever present threat to the within the file. For the institution efficiency of the operation. Utilizing that requires an additional set of the newest types of equipment cou­ records be prepared, as in the case pled to an operationally " fai I-soft" of loss or replacement, 5 in. X Bin. system, the effects of system failures accession cards may be prepared are greatly minimized . Effective through the use of a special com­ maintenance procedures, and re­ puter program, at a cost of from five sponsive service facilities keep these cents to eight cents per record pre­ problems under control. pared, depending upon the number Operator errors and faulty proce­ of records produced. dures represent the biggest threat to Changes to a garden' s record file, the system since data-input labor initiated by the garden, may be represents the largest investment. chargeable at the rate of fifteen cents Consequently, there is a continuing for each change. This charge de­ review of operation progress and pends upon the nature of the infor­ operator problems. From these anal­ mation changed. Chargeable yses new, more effective computer changes generally relate to changes programs have been developed to in location data, how received , eliminate many relatively minor er­ common name, country of origin, rors that had previously required and miscellaneous, nontechnical correcting by hand. New, more effi­ information. Most other changes are c ient data processing equipment non-chargeable. and peripheral devices have been Additional services, such as con­ installed to aid in data input and ed­ sulting services and researching ser­ iting time. vices for specific information re­ Unfortunately, there are just so quests, are chargeable at negotiable many machines and devices to be rates dependent upon the nature of called upon. Ultimately, when all the service(s) and number of P.R.C. minor mechanical problems within staff involved. the system have been resolved, that stage of the operation where the Outlook operator meets the raw record is The P.R.C. like any new system, reached. At that point problems no has had its share of problems during longer are found to be within the its five years of trial and develop­ P.R.C. system, but rather within the ment. The two-year developmental botan ic garden whose records are period at Longwood Gardens, and being processed. The major problem the past three years of the current that the P.R.C. faces each day is program have resolved many prob­ general inconsistency in data re­ lems. However, as the old expres­ corded by the botanical garden . sion goes, experience is the best Many times this reflects changes in teacher. Since April, 1970, when garden administrations over past records from many gardens were years or changes in record require­ brought together to be worked on, ments. In any case, such inconsis­ many interesting problem areas tencies are a part of record keeping have appeared. Most of these prob­ and, as far as the P.R.C. is con­ lems have been solved, some how­ cerned, they come with the job. ever, will likely never be resolved Though it seldom is stressed, the within the operating limits of the processing, correction and standard­ P.R.C. ization of information contained With any new system that has with in a garden' s records represent brought together in a short time as one of the greatest services of the many new concepts, practices, and !".R.C. for every garden which coop­ 42 devices as has the P.R.C., system erates with it. ~ GJIunt Institute for GJ30tallical Documentatioll

Abby Levine* Many sc ientists disparage th e sig­ raphy, the hi story of the sc ience, and nificance of their own work to the handwriting identification. Beca use hi story of the ir science. They mi sta k­ of the scope of the archi va l co llec­ en Iy bel ieve that thei r correspon­ tions and the w ide activities of th eir dence, unpublished research notes, subjects, there is also much material and other personal records are of w hich could be use d by nonbotan­ little va lue to the hi story of their dis­ ica l re sea rchers. Topics which have cipline and the hi story of sc ience in been or could be investigated in­ ge neral. To the prese nt and future c lu de trave l and exploration in var­ hi storian of botany and of sc ience, ious areas from the 1700s to the letters, field notes, manusc ripts, and pre se nt , ed u ca tion in th e journals ca n be of enorm o us impor­ nineteenth-century United States, tance, both in chronicling the devel­ Un ited States government-spon­ opment of an as pect of botany and so red sc ientific expeditions, ea rl y in reconstructing the life of a scien­ medicine, social commentary, the ti st, the activities of his co lleagues, sociology of sc ience, and the diffu­ th e in stitution s w ith w hi c h they sion of knowledge. were associated, and the social and The arc hi ves are divided into inte llectual mili eu w hi c h both three parts. The biographical collec- shaped and reflected their work. t ion c urrently provides more than Individuals working in the plant 100,000 citations to published and sc iences shou ld prese rve such ar­ unpublished accounts of botanists, chi va l materials and ultimately in­ horticu lturists, and botanica l artists ; sure their deposit in so me appro­ about 10,000 of the accounts cited priate repository. The Hunt In st itute are in th e institute's coll ection. The. for Botanical Documentation serves iconographica l coll ection holds the as such an archives and welcomes portraits of more than 11 ,000 such inquiries from indiv idua ls in the perso ns . The manuscripts collection plant sc ien ces whose papers might contain s more th an 2000 letters by *Archivist, Hunt Institute for Botan­ contain material of historical va lue. 900 botanists , horticulturists, and ica l Documentation (formerly Th e The archives of the Hunt In st itute naturalists, mainly of the eighteenth Hunt Botanica l Library), Carnegie­ are open to all resea rchers and are and nineteenth ce nturies, as well as Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Penn­ particularly used by those interested approx im ately 180 co llections of sy lvan ia 15213. in botanical biography and bibliog- perso nal and profess ional papers of r!3 Rock with unidentified na­ tive escort, probably Ti­ betan or Himalayan.

eighteenth-, nineteenth- , and twentieth-century plant scientists of various nationalities. In c luded in this last category are letters, manu­ scripts, notes, lectures, and other papers of the French botanist Michel Adanson (1727-1806), author of Families des Plantes, and a volume of botan ical letters received be­ tween 1797 and 1828 by the German botanist Franz Carl Mertens (1764-1831) , written by 155 dif­ ferent contemporary botanists of Europe and America. Among the holdings of more recent origin are research notes used in preparation for books, including Herbals: Their Origin and Evolution, by the British morphologist, botanical hi storian , and philosopher Agnes Arber (1879- Various items from Rock papers. From the left, clockwise; document in 1960), as wel l as some of her corre­ Chinese, probably a visa; Rock's journal; his special passport, 1926, while spondence, and papers docu­ travelling for the V.S.D.A.; Rock's copy of a letter written from Hong Kong menti ng the I ives and work of plant in 1946 to [E. H.J Walker; and an affidavit signed by Rock in Yunnan explorers Wi lliam Andrew Archer Province, August 1949, concerning his experiences following the communist (1894-1973) and Joseph F. Rock takeover. (1884-1962) as wel l as the early life of mycologist and plant physiologist Photos courtesy of Hun.t Inslilute (or Botanical Documentation. Benjamin M. Duggar (1872 -1 956), whose later research resulted in the isolation of aureomycin . In add ition, the archives include photocopies of relevant material at a number of European repositories and a ser ies of ora l history interviews with bota­ ni sts. As an example of Hunt's archival resources we might examine hold­ in gs pertaining to Joseph Rock; a few of these items are reproduced in this article. Our biographical co llec­ tion card catalog indicates that we Rock clad in an elaborate native cos­ possess data concerning Rock in our tume in an unspecified place,. perhaps own files and also refers to material Tibet. located elsewhere. A search of the iconographical col lection reveals 44 over 70 Rock photographs, ranging . . ... :. Bf~ '#'y.("'LI ", {u n Jibl,J, C(lluc }uillrenliJ, • • '0 • • !,:,.m;t(,konJ, a,ud ~ ~ACWmJ .. ',' .. v .... c...... "--"--" from a portra it of th e botan ist as a ~?:: . " COOD r { TO young man age d five, posed in a 1 ~ - OP sa ilor suit, to pi ctures taken at many .}cOrtT points in hi s ca re er, in conventional f 1 'A ·5. western atti re and various eastern costumes , alone and with friends, fellow sc ienti sts, and nati ve trav­ elling companions. The manusc ripts co llection contain s Rock papers dating from 1908-1963, co nsisting m ainl y of letters written to him , many of which conce rn the writing and publica tion of hi s dictionary of the N a- khi tribe of northwest Yunnan Province, Ch in a, and hi s 9 exploration and pl ant collecting in Pages from Rock's passport showing Hawaii , China, and the Far East. The manusc ripts co ll ecti on also travel in early 1950. Also inc luded are many documents contains material relat in g to Rock in -passports, v i sas, l ette rs of the papers of three other persons: T. introduction-relating to his travels H . Goodspeed, E. H. Walker, and and copies of two signed affadavits W. R. Maxon. In this way th e ho ld­ concerning his experiences fol­ in gs of Hunt's archives-biographi­ lowin g the Chinese co mmunist take­ ca l, iconographica l, and manu script over (July 1949) of Liaking, Yunnan -fit together to show a man through Province, where he had worked on th e eyes of those w ho wrote about and off sin ce the 1920s. In addition him in publi shed form, through the are hi s fin ancial accounts, kept over eyes of hi s own experience and of many decades, brief journal note s in co rrespondents co ncerned w ith hi s hand dating from 1960-1962, mutual ac ti vities , and through the and an extremely i nteresti ng se ri es ca mera' s eye. of letters (copies, 1922 -1924) In addition to its archiva l ho ld­ written by Rock in Yunnan Province in gs, the in stitute also has a library of to David Fairchild at the Bureau of over 19,000 titl es, with major Plant Industry, U.S.D.A.; these refer strength in works published between to coll ection of Rhododendron and 1550 and 1850; conducts extensive othe r plants, travel , sce ne ry, the bib liographi c resea rc h on works consta nt threat of brigands, the published in botany and hortic ulture " base " character of the Yunnan na­ between 1730 and 1840; has more tives, and the general backwardness th an 16,000 botan ica l prints and of the area . I n a letter of 1 November paintings, which are used for ex­ 1922 Rock rema rk s: " The people hibits here and elsewhere; maintains simply live and die like animals in a bi ndery for the conservation and the woods. They have no idea of resto rat ion of books and manu­ time or business nor any conception scripts; undertakes publication of a of truth and honor. If you have any facsimile se ri es and monograph se­ dealings whatsoever with anybody ries ; and has recently opened its of thi s province, you must at once coll ection of Linnaea na, consisti ng take for granted that he is a perverter of all books and papers written and of the truth and that he wi II cheat published by the famous Swedish and squeeze to the best of his ability naturalist and physician Carl Lin­ and in that they are most able." He naeus (1707-1778) in every known then goes on to discuss a search for ed ition and tran slat io n , and the chestnuts and the wild pear seeds he. largest known asse mblage of books is se nding. and material concerning him.<3(> 45 Plants, Industry has learned that govern­ mental agencies watch the clock. This fuming emission was photo­ Gardeners, graphed on a September weekend in 1973. Photo by M. Jea n Cox. and Air Pollution

Norman L. Lacasse*

I should like to address myse lf to two specif ic as pects of air po llution damage to pl ants. First, I w ill review briefly the accompli shments of the past decade; and second, I w ill offer my analys is of the situati on at th e prese nt ti me, w hat the outlook is, and w hat remains to be done. The passage of the Clea n Air Act in 1963, was, in a se nse, a decl arati on of wa r aga inst air pollution, and, as in any other war, Congress mobilized reso urce s to do battl e. Pri or to the passage of the Act, very few laboratories were acti vely engaged in air pollution resea rch, and training in the fi eld of air po llution w as almost non­ existent. A lmost overnight new programs mushroomed across the country to fill this vacuum. A cras h program was on and, as w ith any cras h program, large sums of money were expended, so metimes un w ise ly, because of a deficiency of experi ence at the manage ri al and ad ministrative levels, to say nothing of th e lower ranks. As a consequence, much of the ea rl y efforts did not res ult in tangi ble effects in the abatement of the air po llution probl em. The universities were pa rti cul arly vulnerable in this res pect beca use they w ere still enjoying their traditional academi c freedom, *An address pres ented during the and much of the resea rch was not w hat could be class ified as mi ss ion o ri ented in th e President's Banquet of the 797 7 se nse of problem so lving, but more o ri ented towards cl ass ica l departmental lines . A ll A. H .S. Congre ss . Rep rinted here for too often a resea rch project will un cover more problems than it so lves . This is not reader eva luation of progress in envi­ necessa ril y un des irable; it simply emphas izes the fact that most problems, pa rti cu­ ronmental betterment. Dr. Lacasse is larl y those dea ling w ith ecology, are much more complex th an they appear on the 46 now a pollution control consultant. surface. Th e chaotic end ing of the past decade ushered in a new era and along with it a brand new set of rules. The old problems were still w ith us, to be sure; environmental pollution, the war in Vietnam, in flat ion, and the heavy burden of taxation, just to name a few. Th e public th en began to lose confidence in in stitutions of hi gher lea rning and in the ab ility of sc ience to so lve present day problems. This ca me about at the unfortunate time when most unive rsities and co lleges were clamorin g for increased allocations because of spiraling operating costs and increased enrollments. The principles which have contributed to the strength of our universities were now be in g challenged. Unive rsities are resistant to change, and, in a se nse, th is is desirable because of the tendency to respond to fads or to jump on bandwagons. Unfortunately, this is th e major factor that has contributed to the inab il ity of univers ities to respond quickly and effective ly to society's needs; in cl uded here is a response to the environmental crisis. Turning now to what is happen in g at the present time, I th in k you wi ll see how the events of the day wi ll affect you as gardeners, nurse rymen, directors of arboreta, and so on, in sofar as air po llution damage to plants is conce rn ed. Universities and co lleges w ill be held accountable for their appropri ati ons more than ever in the past. The day of the blank c heck is over. This is not in itself altogether undes irable. However, because of the severe financial problems, w ith w hi ch the un ive rsities and A saucer magnolia sho wi ng leaf and twig distortion due to a colleges are now faced, it severely limits their abi li ty to deal with day-to-day hormone-type weed control chem­ problems. For example, seve ral reports of ai r pol lution damage to plants have been ical emission. brought to our [Pen n State University Center for A ir Environment St udies] attention this past summer. However, because of travel restri ctions, field in vestigation of these problems was imposs ible. There are two other im port ant developments presently taking place wh ich w ill se riously affect our ability to dea l with the air pollution problem. The first conce rn s training of personnel; the seco nd sponsored research. Agencies w hi ch are respon­ sible for fund in g training programs are making drastic reductions in the number of programs now in operation. Financia l support for doctoral ca ndidates has been eliminated and has been sharpl y reduced for master's candidates. The reason for thi s is that these agencies fee l we know enough of the effects of air po llution and we shou ld now get on with the task of contro l. We do indeed know enough to sta rt controlling so urces. In fact we could have sta rted long ago! Why should we have to wait unti I the effects have been docu men ted in 100 different ways before doin g something about the problem. However, there is still a great dea l to lea rn about effects. We know pityingly little about syne rgist ic effects-the effects of two or more pollutants acting together. And this is precise ly the kind of situation we are faced w ith in our large in dustriali zed urban areas . We should be training more re sea rchers! Turning now to government-sponsored resea rch, there is a growin g trend for federa I agencies to use the se rvi ces of private research corporations rather than the universities. These agencies fee l they ca n obta in so me sort of answers. I fear also, that, if the trend continues, the universities wi ll become more and more emaciated. W hat does all thi s mean to us? It means that unless we do so mething to reverse thi s trend, we wi ll continue to experien ce se rious air pollution damage to our green pl ants, we w ill continue not being ab le to grow cert ain crops in so me areas of this country, and we may have to be sat isfied w ith less enjoyable plants th at are resistant to air pollution. Universities w ill not be in a position to re spond to environmental problems to the extent that they could. Redbud is particularly susceptible What can we do about thi s situat ion? I believe we must focus the attention of the to injury caused by hormone-type public on these very import ant iss ues through various media. I th ink the Ameri can pollution. Horticulture Soc iety cou ld playa vital rol e here beca use of its contact w ith the public through popu lar publications, meetings, tours through arboretums, and other channels. Since environmental iss ues are likely to dominate in the political arenas during the '70s, an in formed public could make a significant contribution.<» 47 KQEVIEW8- BULBS but also give many ideas to th e potential ho rti cultwral. Divided into two pa rts, th e book THE WORLD OF THE GLADIOLUS grower. The text is consistently informative first rev iews th e hi sto ry of orchido logy. W hile by thro ugho ut. W heth er a beginning ga rdener or giv in g on Iy brief disc uss ions of th e va ri ous North American G ladio lus Counc il an adva nced pl antsman, th ere are so me id eas aspects of o rchids and their culture, it covers Edgewood Press , Box A, Edgewood, fo r you in this book. the entire fi eld quite adequatefy fo r the cas ual Maryland 2 7040 7972 Th e second Kramer book, Th e Na tura l rea der. Extensive bibliographies are given 24 7 pages, $7.50 (direct from publisher) Way to Pest-free Gardening, is a considerable w ith each chapter, fo r those w ho w ism to disa ppo intment. A ltho ugh it is as well pro­ lea rn mo re. Fin ally, in th e first secti on, a THE GROWTH OF BULBS duced and well illustrated as t me other books length y bibliography is offered in chrono log­ by in this se ries, th e content w ill be parti cularly ica l sequence fro m 1228-1 972 for .the major A. R. Rees Academic Press, Lo ndo n and New Yo rk frustrating to the ga rdener w ith a pest or dis­ taxono mic and descriptive works of the o r­ 7972 ease prob lem. Chapters on so i I preparati o n, chid literature. The second half of the book 3 77 pages, $75.00 c limate, insec ts and birds do little to con­ consists of biographi es of major pe rso nalities Edi ted by e nthu sias ti c ho b by ists, Th e tribute to a working knowledge w hi ch ca n be in th e fi eld of orchido logy, startin g w ith Ca rl World o f th e G ladio lus covers all as pects of projected to everyday problems. The disc us­ von Linne, w ho developed th e modern sc ien­ interest to th e hobby grower. Twenty-five sions of predator-prey relatio nships are drawn tific system fo r naming plants and animals, chapters, w ritten by individual members of fro m the high sc hool bio logy class room and in cluding th e orchids, and ending w ith Lo ui s th e North Ameri ca n Gladio lus Council, pro­ are not applicable fo r th e home ga rdener. A Knudso n, w ho develo ped th e meth od of o r­ vide detailed inform ation on growin g, hybri­ recommendation for gladio lus th rips to "plant chid seed germination th at subsequently rev­ dizin g and exhibiting th eir favo rite flower. bulbs ea rl y in th e fall " w ill almost ce rtainly o lutio nize d th e commercial o rchid industry. While individual chapters va ry considerably kill the bul bs as we ll as the thri ps. An ap­ Th e fifty-one individual biographies cover all in th e quality of content and manner of pres­ pend ix giv ing so urces of supp ly fo r in sect aspects of the hi sto ry of th e orchid, in clud ing enta tio n, the overa ll res ult is worthw hile for · predato rs and the ad dresses of the va ri o us commercial co llecting, botany and ho rti cul­ anyone interested in th e gladio lu s for his state agri cultural extensio n se rvices is use ful. ture. ga rden. Unfo rtun ately, th e text is in consistent and th e Lu er's Th e Native Orchids of Florida fo l­ Rees's Th e Growth o f Bulbs is an ad­ illustrations, w hi Ie pleasa nt, w ill not be of any lows in the tradition of Wild flowers of North vanced textbook for the pl ant sc ientist, com­ help w ith an insec t problem. Th e book would America, also pu b li shed by th e New York mercial grower or se ri o us amateur. A chapter see m to be an unfortunate attempt to get on Botanica l Garden. O ne hundred and two on bulb stru cture provides useful background th e ecology bandwagon. spec ies and va ri eti es of o rc hid s fro m 45 info rm a~ i o n th at could be applied to the ho me ge ne ra (o ut of th e 6 1 ge ne ra occ urrin g Gilbert S. Daniels ga rd ening situatio n. Extensive chapters on 27 1uly 7973 thro ugho ut the 50 states) are desc ribed in de­ sto rage and forcing are, unfo rtunate ly, limited. ta il and illustrated in full co lo r, bo th w ith esse ntially to th e bulbs of narciss us, tulips and ORCHID BOOKS flora l details and habitat photographs. W hile iris. th e book is spec ifica lly devoted to orchids THE NATIVE ORCHIDS OF flORIDA occurrin g in Fl ori da, d istri bution maps are Gilbe rt S. Daniels by 27 luly 7973 give n fo r the complete range of each species. Carly Ie A. Luer New York Botanical Garden, In addition to th e exce ll ent descripti ons and 8ronx, New York line drawin gs of individua l fl owers and floral TWO MORE FROM JACK KRAMER 7972 parts, identifica ti on is aided by th e complete 295 pages, $25.00 keys to genera and spec ies. A further note is THE NATURAL WAY TO PEST-FREE offered fo r each taxon, giving comments upon GARDENING A HISTORY OF THE ORCHID the ecology, fl o ral deve lopment and flo ral by by Jack Kramer Merle A. Reinikka bio logy. Of spec ial interest is th e note that this Charles Scribner's So ns, New York University of Miami Press, Coral Gables, is th e first of two vo lumes pl anned to cover all 7972 Florida of th e nati ve orchids of th e United States and 778 pages, $3.95 p ap erback or $6.95 7972 Ca nada. hard cover 316 pages, $75.00 Unlike th e first two books rev iewed here, FERNS AND PALMS FOR INTERIOR THE STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD w hich contri bute considerably to th e knowl­ DECORATION OF ORCHIDS edge of the o rchi d and its hi story, the third by by book (E bel and Birnbaum-The Strange and Jack Kramer Friedrich Ebel and Otfried Birnba um Bea utiful World of Orchids) has little to add to Charles Scribner's Sons, New York Van Nostrand Rheinhold Company, 7972 New Yo rk, New York the knowledge of anyone w ho already has 113 pages, $3.95 paperback or $6.95 7972 any sli ght fami li arity w ith orchi ds. Tra nslated hard cover 207 pages, $20.00 fro m an o rigin al German ed ition, the text is Continuing the se ri es of " how-to-do-it" Th e long-standing and w ide-spread en­ mostly unrelated to the accompanying photo­ and " idea" books by Jack Kramer, Fern s and thusias m for growin g o rchids continues to graphs and both seem to be assemb led in a Palms for Interior Decoration, lives up to the provide th e incentive fo r the publica ti on of random sequence. Th e photograph s in th em­ sta ndard set by th e ea rlier vo lumes in thi s se­ many books on th e subject. Th e first of th e se lves are of excellent q uality, but th e work ri es. It has good suggestio ns fo r beginners, books rev iewed here-Merl e Re inikka's A ca nnot be desc ri bed as any more than a pi c­ and excellent illustrati ons w hich w ill not o nly H istory of t h e Orch id-prov ides a back­ ture book. serve to ide nti fy so me of the plant materi al, ground to this enthusias m, both botanica l and Gilbert S. Daniels 27 lul y 1973 48 *" *. * *Keeping ic Make your lawn A mer.eQ· * feed itself! Beautiful: Use slow-release Nitroform®

Your lawn can feed itself when Nitroform® nitrogen is used. It's the concentrated, long-lasting organic that releases nitrogen safely and evenly to your grass for months. Nitroform nitrogen doesn't burn, doesn't smell, doesn't leach. Ask your garden center for the lawn fertil izer con­ taining blue Nitroform. If the bag says Blue Chip or Nitroform, you can be sure it's a Blue Chip® quality fertilizer using Nitroform. Hercules Incor­

The Pioneer Plant Food porated, Turf & Horticultural Products, Wilmington, Good for everything you grow. Roses, Delaware 19899. trees, shrubs, flowers, lawns, fruits, vegetables. Spark vigorous g rowth. Just dissolve in water, then sprinkle or spray. Fast acting, speeds results, no burning. High analysis 23-19-17% . 'TJte laWii~eper The favorite of experts for years! -SA- HERCULES

A Flowering Garden Inside Your House

PAot.6T ~ocA. byGMayJair... Cl ear step-by-step instructions on how to use the popular aquarium "There is nothing more beau tiful . .. " tank and other containers (such as brandy snifters, plastic cubes, A lo ng-lived w inter hardy. lo w g rowi ng ever g r e en s hru b tha t p roduce s thou san ds o f s h owy b l osso m s In lovel y and Mexican hand-blown bowls) for s h a d es o f p i n k , w h ite, laven der a nd purp lc in July , A u g u s t a n d Sept e mbc l'. growing flowering plants, foliage Specia l Money Savin g Collectio n s o f Scotc h H eathers a nd H eaths- OUR SELECT I ON o f n a m ed varie ties: plants, succulents, and cactus in te rrarium s. Need ve ry little atten­ A - 3 plants (all d ifferenl) ...... $ 5.75 tion . Full information on lighting, B - 6 plant s (all d ifferenl) ...... 10.50 growing gardens in bottles, supply C - 12 plants (all d ifferenl) ...... 20.00 sources, and much more. 0- 27 plants (3 each of 9 kind s). . 42.00 • 115 photographs E - 36 plants ( 3 each of 12 kind s). 55.00 • 24 color plates F - 102 plants (6 each of 17 kinds) 130.00 $5.95 hardcover, $2 .95 paperback; A ll h C<'I llhy , blooming-size p la nts, t;" t' own in 4 " p o ls. S h ipped w ith r OOL ball intact . Plant 18 to 2 4 int.- hes now at your bookstore, or send apaI"l i n well draine d , acid soil. Orde r direct ( rom ad (or s hi p m e nt a t SllI' jog p lanting lime. :-)pE'C ify coll ecl>ion check or money ord er to CROWN le tte r (A , B, C, clc.) and add 100/0 fo r s hipping & h a n­ d l ing , \ P a , c uslo mc.,s add 6 0/0 s a les lax), PUBLISHERS, 419 Park Ave. South, Descr iptiv e c,", la log l is lin g ovel' 130 varie lies o f H e alhers . Healhs, Dwnrf S h rubs a nd cxot ic g r o u n d covers New York, N.Y. 10016 sent for $1.00 . or i n c l ude d w ith o rder. Writ e lo day .

49

R.O. 2, Box 68-712, Nichols, N.Y. 13812 \J~\)\t~ • rOlJlJ's Bookshop for Gardeners Alpines and Rock Plants Nursery Items and Supplies

FINEST QUALITY ALPINES, Western Wild­ 1,000 NURSERY ITEMS-(Many Unusual.). flowers, Evergreen & Ornamental trees. Terrariums , Bonsai , Fruits, Ornamentals. DWARF: Ferns, Rhododendrons, Conifers, Seeds (Tree-Evergreen) , Seedlings, Grafts. Shrubs. Bonsai, Terrarium subjects. Full Propagation Supplies, Pots , Tools, P.lant descriptions, cL(itural information. Catalog Foods (Organic) , Insecticides, Watering De­ 50c. ALPINES WEST Route #2 Box 259 Spo­ vices, Books. Free Catalog . Mellinger's, Now is the season for indoor kane, Washington 99207 North Lima 19, Ohio 44452 gardening and gifts. From Azaleas Laurie Todd's fine stock, these Orchid Plants titles: FREE CATALOG. Hardy azaleas and small GARDEN IN YOUR HOUSE leaved rhododendrons. Choose from our Mature, full grown, white and lavender cat­ collection of species and named Exbury, tleya orchid plants, $2 .00-$5.00-$10.00, fob Rev. ed.197L $6.95 plus 35 cents New Jersey. Specimen plants also available: Ghent, Mollis, Ilam and everg fi een hybrids. post. Ernesta D. Ballard. Culture of CARLSONs GARDENS, Box 305-AH, South Vanda, cypripedium, cymbidium, phalean­ over 500 varieties of house plants. Salem, New York 10590. opsis, odontoglossum, etc. AUCTION SALE Special attention to problem areas. every Saturday at 10 a.m. William L. Snyder, Auctioneer. OPEN HOUSE daily from 10 a.m. Books EXOTICA III to 4 p.m . THOMAS YOUNG ORCHID FARM , 6th ed. 1973. $68.00; $85.00 2 voL " HUMMINGBIRDS-ATTRACT & FEED" 100 Harris Avenue, Middlesex, N.J . (201) set. Alfred Graf's guide to identifi­ booklet. Photo ililustrated. 35c includes 356-1200. cation and care of house plants. Hummingbirding News-Brochure. WOODS­ Pictorial cyclopedia of exotic plants, WORLD, 600A 15 Olive Springs, Santa Cruz, Publications 12,000 illustrations, 204 in color. Calif. 95060 . The Avant Gardener brings you all the "firsts" Free Gift Wrapping - Card -new plants, products, techniques-with Enclosures - Mailed Anywhere POMONA BOOK EXCHANGE 33 Beaucourt Road , Toronto 18, Canada sources I 500 articles a year, published Sendto LAURIE TODD'S New-Used-Old-General-Specific-Rare Books twice-monthly, 8 pages per issue. Special 62 E. Stratford Ave. on Horticulture-Food-Nature. Introductory Subscription, $8.50 for a full Lansdowne,- Pa. 19050 Catalogue Free. Want Lists Welcomed. year, or send $1 for 3 sample copies. P.O. Box 489, New York, N. Y. 10028. 1-215 2843262 Pa. residents add 6% sales tax " POTS AND POT GARDENS"-Mary Grant White has profusely illustrated this lovely and Unusual Plants unusual volume, which gives the history, planting and placing of pots in the garden. UNUSUAL plants for usual prices for garden­ Send $8.75 (plus 35c postlhdlg.) to LAURIE ers, collectors, connoisseurs. Send 50c for TODD'S Box 293, Lansdowne, Pa . 19050 catalogue listing rare plants, alpines, wild­ MUSSER flowers. Jamieson Valley Gardens, Rt. 3-0, Spokane, Wash. 99203. TREES, SHRUBS & Dwarf Conifers Dwarf Conifers, Alpines, exotic Maples, Hos­ Western Native Plants GROUND COVERS tas , Sempervivums. Large new catalog 35c. Over 7,000 different plants at nursery. Visi­ Trees, flowers, shrubs, groundcovers: as­ tors welcome. Palette Gardens, 26 West, pens, azaleas, dogwood, man zan ita, oaks, Zionhill Road , Quakertown, Pennsylvania penstemons, pines, 100 others. Catalog 50c. FREE 18951 . the Shop in the Sierra, Box 1A, Midpines Cal­ ifornia 95345 Horticulturists CATALOG Wildflowers Volunteer PEACE CORPS. Experienced Hor­ A complete listing of Evergreen and ticulturists. Two years overseas. U.S. Citizen. HARDY NATIVE WILDFLOWERS. Many Hardwood Seedlings and Transplants, Free-travel, housing, medical care and scarce varieties offered to delight enthusi­ Landscape Orna menta IS,Rooted Cutti ngs, vacation. Single or Couples only. Informa­ asts. Copyrighted Culture Catalog 25c. Ground Covers, Container·Grown Plants, Perennials, plus money-saving Special tion: Bruce Mazzie, ACTION, OCP Box F-18, ORCHID GARDENS, Rt. 3, Grand Rapids, Offers. Wholesale prices for quantity Washington, D.C. 20525. Minnesota 55744. purchases of seedlings and transplants. FRIENDS OF BIRDS BUY DIRECT Timely news and views. SHALLOTS How to attract and help birds. $AVE money on bird from GROWER Indispensable for those .~!tF.'':::tiJt:::::::::.. food. $4.50 / yr. member; ship includes 4·seasons famous French recipes. REVIEW, or send 25( (re­ Hard to find in stores, easy fundable) for details. Please send FREE CATALOG to: to grow. 50 medium bulbs FRIENDS OF THE BIRDS SOCIETY NAME ______$2 ppd., 30 large bulbs $2 Box 448·YS. College Park, Md. 20740 ppd. Plant early, they don't freeze. ADDRESS ______Instructions and recipes included. ~ LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR CITY Tarragon plants. 1 for $1.25 ppd., 2 for $2.25 ppd. Leeks to transplant 50 LEARN MODERN LANDSCAPING for exciting hobby STATE ______ZIP ___ or profit. Thousands of s pare or full time money for $2 ppd., garlic 50 kernels $2 ppd. ma king oppo rtunities. Start a profita ble Other herbs available, also fancy im· bus iness - we show you how. Study a nd ported seeds. earn your certificate a t home. 50 Write today for Free Book. LIFETIME CAREER SCHOOLS Le Jardin Du Gourmet Dept. A·477 Box 119-1 , Ramsey, N.J. 07446. 2251 Barry Ave. ' Los Angeles, Ca 90064 .~~~~:='! Come to Colonial Williamsburg's 28th Annual Garden Symposium March 3I-ApriI5-

Colonial Williamsburg, in association with the American Horticultural Society, invites you to enjoy five exciting days devoted to fresh perspectives in the garden world. Come meet fellow enthusiasts from throughout America at teas, candlelight concerts, and the Gardeners' Banquet. See the winners of the AHS Film F esti­ val. Visit Norfolk's Gardens-By­ The-Sea. Get a very special look at the Colonial Williamsburg gardens Peter Coats ranked . among the five finest in America. And learn) at the series of work­ shops, lectures, demonstrations, and slide presentations being conducted by this year's outstanding list of speakers:·Franklin S.Adams, Frederick L. Belden,ASLA, Henry M.Cathey, William H.Frederick,Jr., John C.Harper,II, Richard D.Mahone, Joseph G. Hudak, ASLA, C.W.Eliot Paine, J. Lee Taylor, Edna Pennell, Elizabeth Scholtz, and Jane L. Taylor­ plus England's internationally-famous flower arranger, George W. Smith. These exceptional partici pants, along with Mr. Smith, pr