CHAPTER IV 



Soils 



THE character of the soil plays a most important part in the successful 

 cultivation of any species of plant. Unless the soil is suited to the 

 needs and constitutional characteristics of a plant, success in the 

 cultivation of such plant, if attained at all, will be but indifferent. It, 

 therefore, becomes essential to study well the soil where it is proposed to 

 grow carnations, and to select one well suited to the needs of these plants. 

 This will not only insure a greater measure of success, but of economy as 

 well, for the deficiencies in soils must be made up by artificial manipulation, 

 and the addition of such constituents as may be lacking. 



Carnations succeed well in a great variety of soils of varying textures, 

 demonstrating that a wide divergence of mechanical texture, or density 

 (heaviness or lightness) may furnish good results. Nevertheless, there 

 are certain textures of soil that possess material advantages over others. 

 Extremely light, sandy soils that suffer in droughts, as well as heavy, stiff, 

 cold soils that bake and become hardened, should in general be avoided. 

 Good carnations may be grown on such soils, but success will be uncertain 

 and at an additional cost of care and attention. 



The best carnation soil is a good, strong, semi-sandy loam, with con- 

 siderable body, one that will retain moisture \vell and at the same time is not 

 so dense and compact as to become sour and sodden. A well-drained location 

 should be selected, and soils from situations where water stands on the 

 surface for any length of time should be avoided, unless such soils can be com- 

 posted and exposed to deration and freezing for some time before they are 

 used. 



In selecting soils for field culture, wherever possible, one well furnished 

 with an abundance of fibrous material should be chosen. An old sod lot 

 that has been pastured by cows or sheep makes an ideal location. In the 

 preparation of iiuch a field, a moderate coating of stable manure should be 

 evenly spread over the field in August or early September. The land should 

 then be ploughed at least ten inches deep, ploughing to be followed by a 

 thorough cultivation with the disk harrow. During the latter part of October 



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