106 PICTORIAL PRACTICAL CARNATION GROWING. 
carries only one bloom, or it may be less vigorously treated, and 
allowed to bear five flowers. In the one case a very large bloom is 
secured at the expense of some loss of, beauty in the plant; in 
the other smaller flowers but a more attractive plant will result. 
In moderate disbudding the best buds on the side flowering 
growths are retained, in addition to the crown or principal bud on 
the main stem. In severe disbudding only the latter is retained. 
The medium course of disbudding to three may be practised if 
desired. The three systemsare clearly shown in Fig. 50. 
Houses. 
_ In the introductory remarks it was pointed out that those who grow 
Malmaisons as a special feature find it necessary to have houses de- 
voted to them, owing to their fastidious nature. This is not practic- 
able for small growers, unfortunately, because of the cost, but it is a 
matter we must consider. A span roof house, with a lantern 
ventilator running the whole length, and iron ventilators in the side 
walls on a level with the hot water pipes, in addition to side light 
ventilators, is the best. With these provisions the house can be 
ventilated in damp, muggy weather, as the side lights can be kept 
closed, and the iron and lantern ventilators open. ‘The air passing 
through the former is dried and warmed by passing over the pipes, and 
a fresh, lively, buoyant atmosphere is maintained. This suits the 
plants tar better than a damp, stagnant atmosphere. 
Asmall house may be 12 feet wide, and have two side stages, 
with a rain water tank receiving the roof water at one end; the 
water for the plants is thus about the same temperature as that of 
the house. Short iron pillars may support the stages, which may 
consist of slate shelves surfaced with clean shingle or gravel. A flow 
and return 4-inch pipe may run round the house for heating. It 
should be noted that a high temperature is not needed ; in fact, it is 
CULTURE OF MALMAISONS. FIG. 51 (NEXT PAGE).—HOUSES FOR 
THE PLANTS. 
O, a section of a span roof house, 12 feet wide: », ground level; s, side 
walis (9-inch) ; ¢, iron ventilators perforated inside, with a flap opening 
outwards; w, side lights opening the whole length of the structure; 2, 
spouts ; w, drip bars, which carry the condensed moisture to the eaves; 
zx, lantern ventilator running the whole length of the house; y, rain 
water tank; z, iron grating forming the path; a, iron pillars to 
support tables or stages for the plants, the other edge resting on the 
walls; 0, slate shelves, with an edging on the face next to the path; ¢, 
shingle or clean washed gravel on which to stand the pots; d, hot water 
pipes, flow and return, 4 inches, on each side. 
P, a section of a span roof house, 18 feet wide: e, ground level; /, side walls 
g, iron ventilators; i, side lights; i, drip bars; j, lantern ventilator 
k, rain water tanks ; /, iron gratings forming the paths; m, iron pillars 
n, slate shelves ; 0, clean gravel; », hot water pipes, 4 inches. 
