144 CARNATIONS IN ILLINOIS 



along, tlie routine work of caring for them as regards water- 

 ing, temperature, and keeping the insects in check, should 

 receive close attention at all times. Attend to the topping 

 as quickly as the growths lengthen out to allow for it to be 

 done properly. This part of the work is of the utmost 

 importance because the character of the plant in the future 

 depends largely on the care with which this work is done in 

 the early stages of the plant's growth. Topping should 

 always be done with the object in view of encouraging the 

 young plant to make a sturdy, bushy growth so that when 

 the time comes for planting out we have a plant that has 

 already commenced to branch out and is reasonably sure 

 of making a good plant while in the field. 



The planting in the field is done the latter part of 

 April or early in May. Directly after the planting is 

 finished we go over the field with a hand cultivator to 

 freshen up the surface. The growth of the plants during 

 the first month is not very rapid owing to the cold, chilly 

 weather we usually get, so that there is not much to do in 

 caring for them till the weather warms, but as quickly as 

 this happens the plants take on a very rapid growth, as do 

 the weeds. We are not denied any of the weeds that are 

 usually found in all parts of the country. We have our 

 share and sometimes think a few more besides. It is a 

 steady job keeping the land clean from the time the plants 

 are set out until they are brought in again. 



By close attention to details, the plants are large 

 enough by the 15th of July to think about bringing them 

 inside, and after everything about the houses has been 

 put in readiness we make the first planting about July 20. 



A good part of the soil in this region that has to be 

 used for growing Carnations as well as every other green- 

 house crop is the black loam of the prairies which, when 



