THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



355 



short and the weather most Hkely to be cloudy during 

 that period. After the first of February if the plants are 

 still doing well, the\- will need more feed and liquid 

 manure can be used to advantage about once a week or 

 top dressing can again be resorted to. Dried blood or 

 nitrate of soda in very light doses or sheep manure or 

 shredded cattle manure in heavier doses and, if available, 

 a good inch or so of rotted stable manure will also 

 help to keep the beds from drying out too quickly. If 

 the grower has handled his plants properly, by this time 

 (February the first) he will have the pleasure of having 

 a fine crop of flowers standing on strong, straight stems 

 36 to 45 inches above the soil. 



Carnations will do well with a night temperature of 48 

 to 52 degrees. Day temperature should be governed by 

 the weather, not allowing it to rise above 60 on cloudy 

 days and 72 on bright days in winter, but after the first 

 of ]\Iarch when the sun is getting higher it may rise to 

 80 in the middle of the day. Nothing will be gained by 

 getting a few extra flowers in winter by running the 

 houses a few degrees higher, as the plants will be sure 

 to suffer. 



To have success with carnations it is essential that the 

 plants have proper care from the time the cuttings are 

 put in the sand until they are thrown out of the house at 

 the end of the flowering season. 



Careful propagation is very important. The cuttings 

 should be taken from the flowering shoots, care being 

 taken not to use those too near the top of the stem as 

 these are not so strong and will not make such nice bushy 

 plants as those lower down. 



The best time to take cuttings is in January and 

 February, as plants rooted at that time -will make a better 

 growth and will not be so likely to get hard as if rooted 

 earlier. If a large number of plants of any one variety 

 is needed it is advisable to get all the cuttings possible 

 both before and after those months. The sand used 



Tin: CARNATIOX "WM. ECCLES.' 



NEW CARX.3iTinx SEEni.IXG BV RirilARfi niT.IIE.s. 



should be sharp and clean and free from loam, whether 

 it is fine or fairly coarse makes but little difference. It 

 should be about 3 inches deep in the bench with a good 

 drainage and it cannot be firmed too much. The cuttings 

 should be taken with a heel and the ragged end cut ofif 

 with a sharp knife. The long foliage may be trimmed 

 ofl: the top as that allows the air to circulate among them 

 more freely. Put them in about three quarters to an 

 inch in depth and firm the sand nicely around them. Then 

 be sure to give them a good watering, enough to wet the 

 sand right through. Keep them from draughts and shade 

 from tlie sun, but do not shade too heavy or they will 

 get soft and will not do as well when taken from the sand. 

 Give them a light spraying each morning for the first ten 

 days if the weather permits, and water them if the sand 

 shows signs of dr_\ing out. 



IMost all of our cuttings taken in the winter months 

 receive no water from the time they are first watered in 

 until taken out, and I find they root better than those 

 that have to be watered. 



The propagation house should be kept at from 50 to 

 54 degrees and air should be given on all bright days, 

 always guarding against draughts. Enough bottom heat 

 to keep the sand at about 58 will help to make them root, 

 but T would not advise anything higher than that. 



\\'hen rooted the young plants may be either potted 

 into 2-inch pots or may be put directly into flats about 

 2y2 inches apart, using a nice loam which does not 

 contain too much manure. If 2-inch pots are used the 

 plants should be put into flats or 3-inch pots as soon as 

 they show a nice lot of roots around the pot. Give the 

 plants plenty of air as soon as they commence to grow 

 and do not over v.ater, but allow them to dry out and 

 then water thoroughly, as by doing this you will keep 

 the soil sweet and the plants healthy. 



Pinch the plants when they are high enough for the 

 tops to be broken off clean, leaving four or five joints 

 which will give you strong side shoots and a sound 

 foundation for good growth. 



