Carnation Culture in Ohio 



dark shade, such as clay, I beheve to be injurious to the plants, inducing a 

 somewhat soft growth. Just enough ventilation is given the first two or three 

 days to obtain a moderate circulation of air, gradually increasing the ventila- 

 tion from day to day until the plants will take the full extent. Shading is 

 also gradually diminished. After this, ventilation is kept on night and day, 

 the ventilators being lowered only in case of storms. 



We syringe overhead often enough to keep down red spider, which is 

 about two or three times a week ; or oftener, as the weather demands. This 

 is kept up until there is danger of the plants not drying off before late in the 

 day. We do not syringe overhead after November 15 or December i, until 

 March i to 15. If red spider appears, we use a solution of common salt and 

 water (a 4-inch potful of salt to an ordinary bucket of water), and spray 

 the plants thoroughly in the morning of any bright, sunny day. Before this 

 practice is resorted to, all blooms must be cut close, as the syringing will 

 make them worthless. We have never had any bad effects from the salt on 

 the plants, although we have used it strong enough to have small crystals of 

 salt form upon them, after they had become thoroughly dry. 



Staking, or supporting, should be attended to as soon as the plants show 

 any signs of making growth, as those supported in time show a greater 

 advance than others not supported. A delay of from ten to fourteen days 

 will disclose a marked difference. 



After the plants have thoroughly recovered, weeds will make their 

 appearance. These are removed either by hand or weeder, as the con- 

 dition of the soil permits. If the soil be hard or baked, we use a weeder ; 

 if otherwise, we use our hands, stirring the soil to the depth of half an 

 inch, or as lightly as possible, after which a light mulching is afforded 

 to prevent any further hardening of the top soil. Then we begin feeding 

 moderately with liquid manure (this usually six or eight weeks after lifting). 

 About December we give a top-dressing of dried blood and pure, finely- 

 ground bonemeal ; two parts of bone and one of dried blood, using a heaping 

 handful between the rows, half-way across a five-foot bench, evenly dis- 

 tributed over the surface. A similar dose is applied again in April, followed 

 shortly by another light mulching of well-rotted stable manure, as a pre- 

 ventive of rapid evaporation, which takes place at this season of the year. 



Ventilation is given on cold, bright days during the winter months, as 

 soon as the temperature is affected by the sun ; gradually, as it is necessary, 

 reducing it with the lowering of the temperature. I find it essential to the 

 welfare of the plants to guard against any sudden drop, or rise, in the temper- 



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