Volume 1

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The Plant Propagators - The Basis of Our Industry

Author: James S. Wells

PP: 8

I have often thought that the plant propagator is more closely akin to the medical profession than to any other, for surprisingly similar qualities are required both for the good doctor and the good plantsman. A long and rigorous initial period of training followed by slow and sometimes painful acquisition of knowledge through a lifetime devoted to his work are equally true of both. The comparison is even closer when one considers how much success may depend upon painstaking study, the careful consideration of all factors, before a diagnosis is given and treatment prescribed, for in both professions it is such attention to small intangible details that make the difference between success and failure. The last twenty years has seen the business of the horticulturalist emerge from the “rule of thumb” era, even of superstition, to that of scientific certainty. The advances in horticultural knowledge represented by the introduction of “hormones” of new and highly lethal insecticides and fungicides.
Propagating Rhododendrons From Stem Cuttings

Author: James S. Wells

PP: 12

In tackling the many problems which had to be dealt with, we concentrated on one variety, Rhododendron Roseum Flegans. This one of the most easily rooted of the varieties which we normally grow. Using this variety we commenced a series of experiments which began to show us what Rhododendrons need in order to root and from this base we have worked out into other and more difficult varieties until now we are rooting fair quantities of quite a number including many of the so-called “red flowering” types. We have found that 12 different factors closely affect the results obtained and in order to achieve good results, it is necessary to know just how to balance these factors for each of the varieties concerned. Timing: This is one of the most important single factors. We have found that the difference in percentage of rooting can be as much as 50% with only two weeks difference in the date of taking the cuttings.
Problems in the Control of Damping-Off

Author: Forrest C. Strong

PP: 15

Damping-off of seedlings is a disease problem which confronts every grower of plants: ornamentals, field crops, vegetable crops, and forest and shade trees. Damping-off is of especial importance when seedlings are grown closely together and in great numbers as is done whenever transplanting of the seedlings is practiced. This applies to the growing of forest and shade trees. In the case of herbaceous plants such as flowers and vegetables, the disinfection of the soil in flats by steaming or by application of fungicides to the soil surface has proved quite satisfactory in reducing losses by this disease, For the forest tree nurseryman who has large areas of outdoor seed beds with a dense population of seedlings, losses often run very high and suitable control measures are difficult to manipulate.
Some Tree Selections for Street and Ornamental Purposes

Author: Edward H. Scanlon

PP: 20

The history of shade tree husbandry is not an inspiring one. The history of shade tree use is far less inspiring, Thru the past century, and particularly in the last fifty years there has been a tremendous increase of interest in street and ornamental trees, but efforts to improve the more common species by worthwhile selections, and even the introduction to the people of many splendid exotic species that are available, have been woefully inadequate. he results of this lassitude generally is reflected in poor plantings with inept trees. Most American cities are now plagued with an over planting of forest giants on narrow city streets. Most homes on conventional size properties are overplanted with the same giants that soon outgrow the available space and have become a menace to life, property and plumbing. That a determined effort on the part of nurserymen and arborist to correct these faults is needed goes without saying. We must get out of the dark ages of ornamental tree culture.
The Effect of Juvenility on Plant Propagation

Author: F.L. O&#039Rourke

PP: 33

Practical plant propagators have long known that cuttings taken from young seedling plants root much more readily than cuttings from mature plants of the same species. Goebel (11), in 1900 mentioned this relatives ease of propagation in younger individuals and established the term “juvenility” to described the physiological condition involved. Juvenility may or may not be accompanied by morphological differences from the mature individual, such as different leaf shapes, thorniness, or other growth characteristics. In many species, however, the superficial appearance of the seedling plant is somewhat different from the mature individual. Ashby (1) reports that Krenke used the leaf shape of the sugar beet leaf to determine the amount of sugar to be found in the roots at that time. Certain characters of the leaf changed gradually over a period of time as the plant progressed from a young seedling toward maturity.
Controlled Humidification as an Aid to Vegetative Propagation

Author: L.C. Chadwick

PP: 38

Many factors are involved in the successful propagation of plants by cuttings. As a basis for the consideration of the factor of humidity, some discussion of the over-all picture of vegetative propagation by cuttings is apropos. Perhaps it can be said that all dicotyledonous plants can be rooted from cuttings, providing the right combination of internal and external factors is attained. Successful rooting of cuttings is dependent upon the careful manipulation of external conditions to fit the internal conditions. The important internal factors for successful rooting of cuttings can be divided into two groups, anatomical and physiological. The anatomical factors are the healing of the wound made in making the cutting and the presence of root initials or the ability to form them. Roots on softwood cuttings of many plants follow definite patterns, which should be considered in making cuttings.
A General Review of Woody Plant Propagation

Author: Richard H. Fillmore

PP: 40

In the year 1802, in the pioneer community of Manchester, Ohio, a boy of 16 wished to establish an apple orchard. Since there was a nurseryman in his family, he had already been taught how to bud, splice-graft, and cleft-graft on established stocks, but stocks were scare. Apple seeds were probably available, but Joseph Curtis couldn’t wait. He picked up a few apple roots which had been turned up by his father’s plow, cut them in pieces and grafted scions onto them. The grafted plants developed into good productive trees and thus began the now common practice of root-grafting.
Summer Meeting of Organizational Committee

Author: -

PP: 50

Present at this Organizational Committee meeting were: James S. Wells I. E. Ilgenfritz; L. C. Chadwickl; William E. Snyder; Pieter Zorg, John Siebenthaler; Roy M. Nordine and Edward H. Scanlon. Absent were: Richard H. Filmore; F. L. O'Rourke and Roger W. Pease. The action taken consisted of the adoption of Constitution; the establishment of the Plant Propagators Society with an original Charter Membership consisting of the original committee plus seven additional members who were present - making a total of eighteen Charter Members - however it was voted to extend Charter Membership privilege to any person who attended the first meeting in Cleveland. A complete list of Charter Members will be published in the next proceedings. Final action was the election of officers: James S. Wells, Pres.; L. C. Chadwick, Vice President; Edward H. Scanlon, Secretary-Treasurer.