Carnation Culture in Canada 



give an idea of the growth that has taken place since the small beginning 

 of twelve years ago. 



The type of house devoted to carnation culture in the Dominion has 

 not been overlooked. In the early days of the industry any house was con- 

 sidered good enough for this plant, the prevailing idea appearing to be to 

 get as much timber and as little light as possible. This ancient type of house 

 has gradually given away to improved structures, until to-day we have the 

 iron frame, the wide glass, insuring all the light possible, with a minimum 

 of shade. What is the result? The finest blooms are now grown to the 

 greatest perfection and sell at prices four to five times higher than were 

 obtained ten years ago. And the end is not yet ; for, if the present ratio of 

 increase is maintained, the estimated area of glass devoted to carnation 

 culture should be doubled in the next five years, with attendant increase of 

 production. 



The Canadian grower has as yet produced but few new varieties. 

 That work is carried on extensively and successfully by specialists in the 

 United States, and few of our florists have had the time or patience to 

 pursue hybridizing to any extent. But the Canadian florist is fully alive 

 to the popularity of the Divine Flower, and will in future devote more time 

 and money in order to produce the best results in its culture; and in the 

 coming years he may be in a position to compete for the coveted honor of 

 originating and introducing new and meritorious varieties of this popular 

 flower. 



A few words as to the cultivation of the carnation in Canada : One 

 of the most important features of the season's success depends on the care 

 exercised in the selection of cuttings, and the propagating bed. Our first 

 batch of cuttings is taken when the first crop of bloom is maturing, and 

 the plants are growing vigorously, usually from the loth to the 15th of 

 December. These cuttings we take from blooming stems, previous to the 

 holiday crop being picked, and similar cuttings throughout the season ; 

 otherwise they would be sacrificed. 



Our propagating house has been located on the north side of a three- 

 quarter span house, with northern aspect, which answered the purpose 

 admirably ; but this year our new propagating houses run north and south. 

 These are composed of a double ridge and furrow house, without partition, 

 each compartment nine feet in width, which gives us a house eighteen feet 

 wide, with two benches three feet six inches wide, one center bench seven feet 



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