C"0MMEI{C1AL CARNATIONS. 173 



before growth stops, are turued out of their pots aud heeled 

 in on the bench, using only clean soil. Care must be taken 

 to select a bench fi'ee from any drip, for should fungus get 

 any start while they are in these crowded quarters it would 

 soon cause great ruin. In handling plants in this way, growth 

 never stops. Cuttings potted after the tenth of February 

 are planted direct to the Held from the pots, being careful 

 to see that all have been topped back before removing them. 

 We plant in the field as early as the season Avill permit; 

 usually about the 15th to 20th of April. Last year we 

 handled six thousand plants in this way, and during the 

 present year the number will greatl}^ exceed this. 



After the plants are in the field they should be gone over 

 once a week, topping back any which have a tendency to pro- 

 duce buds. If this is not neglected from the start there will 

 be no danger of cropping later — something which we try 

 to avoid. 



The soil is cultivated just as often as its condition will 

 permit. We have had our greatest success with early planted 

 stock, therefore about the first of July we commence to get 

 the houses in condition to bring the plants inside. Every 

 vestige of the previous season is removed. The benches are 

 washed off thoroughly with the hose and given a coat of hot 

 lime wash. Over this we put a covering of rotted manure 

 about one inch thick, which settles to abont half an inch 

 after the soil is in; then the benches are filled level full of 

 soil. We have used with equal success both top soil and 

 what we term "second plowing." Upon this we add half an 

 inch of well rotted cattle manure, then this is worked over, 

 using spading forks, being careful to break all lumps while 

 doing so, and not turning deep enough to remove any manure 

 from below, as this is for the plants later in the season. This 

 gives us about four inches of soil and one inch of manure- - 

 from only one-half of which, however, the plants derive im- 

 mediate benefit. By planting thus early no extra shade is 

 required on the glass to prevent Avilting. 



