Treatment After Benching 



the soil, and if deep cultivation is practiced the plants will be injured by 

 the disturbance of the feeding roots. 



As soon as the condition of the plants shows that a considerable portion 

 of the plant food contained in the soil is assimilated, light top dressings of 

 decomposed manure, or sheep manure, bone dust, soot, etc., may be used ; but 

 the plants must be allowed to become thoroughly established and in full, vig- 

 orous growth, with normal root systems, before such applications are given ; 

 and when feeding begins, the food should be introduced into the soil no 

 more rapidly than the plants consume it. 



Bench of Carnation William Scott — Illustrating supporting^ with wire netting 



and wire and strin" 



Properly prepared soil will be rich enough to carry the plants from six 

 weeks to two months after growth has commenced, without feeding. Under 

 ordinary culture, if plants grow vigorously, the soil will be exhausted to some 

 extent at the end of two and a half or three months, unless it has been re- 

 newed by feeding or mulching. In such case a strong top dressing will be 

 required to keep the plants in proper growing condition and to supply them 



"5 



