OCR Text |
Show I I HORTICULTURE M Editor Dcscrct Farmer: Will you m please refer me to sonic reliable p'acc m where I can procure some ginseng M seed? What arc requirements of m growing this plant? Where can I m get some "purple concflowcr," cchina- m cca, seed, and what arc the rcquire- B ments of growing these plants? H JAMES DRAPER, Moroni. H w M Answer by Prof. R. S. Northrop. H I have been unable to fuid any ad- H vcrtising matter on ginseng nor can H 1 find the address of anyone who has H plants or seeds for sale. If seeds H arc used to start this plant you need H not expect the plants to germinate H until they have been in the ground H approximately one and one-half years, H unless they have been very carefully. H handled. Ginseng requires a light H friable loam, free from stones and H well drained, and also a soil rich In H humus. After the plants arc two or H three years old they produce seeds H which ripen in Scptcmibcr and if prop- H cr'y kept will germinate after the H first year but if allowed to dry, will B not germinate until the second year. H Returns from the roots need not H be expected until after the second or H third year. The crop may be plant- H cd in an out of the way place and if H properly shaded will do well, ptovid- M cd the above requirements arc fulfill - H cd. The Division of Publications f the Department of Agriculture can furnish further data regarding this plant, as can also the Orange Judd Publishing Co. of New York. Sometimes fabulous stories arc toid of the returns brought in by this crop. These should be very .carefully considered before too" much credence is placed in them. The purple cone flower or echinacea echina-cea arc reputed to do wcH in ordinary soil. They may be used to cover hard, dry or exposed places but they .will respond o rich, sandy, loamy soil. They prefer sunny locations. They arc perennials and arc usually propagated by divisions although they may be propagated by seeds. I presume pre-sume that any of the large seed dealers deal-ers cou!d secure the seeds or plants for one if desired. I would suggest that the Vaughan Seed Co., of Chicago Chi-cago be tried. |