148 CARNATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA 



from those cared for the year round indoors seemed to be 

 larger and stronger, the difference in price and quality is 

 not sufficient to balance the more than one-third larger 

 crop of those planted outdoors. From practical experience 

 it is found that it pays, no matter how g^reat the cost, to 

 plant Carnations in absolutely new soil each season and 

 not to try to plant them in the same soil one season after 

 another. Some growers feel convinced that stem rot is 

 largely produced by the soil being used too often for Carna- 

 tions. The soil used is a sandy loam to which is added a 

 liberal amount of cow and stable manure. The local soil 

 is rough and difficult to handle as compared with other 

 sections of the country. Then during the season lime is 

 used, with bonemeal and sheep manure liberally. Carna- 

 tions are grown both in solid beds and on benches in Gude's 

 establishment, but the company is undecided as to which 

 is more profitable, but is inclined to favor solid beds, 

 because not only do they get as many flowers from solid 

 beds, but the blooms also seem to be stronger and are 

 more easily cared for in warm weather. It should be 

 stated, however, that in speaking of solid beds, these 

 particular Carnation houses are mostly on hillsides where 

 one bench is above the other, thereby getting the full 

 benefit of the sunlight, and also very good drainage, both 

 of which are essential in Carnation growing, and the hill- 

 side solid beds have the advantage over the flat ground. 



CARNATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA 



Carnations are principally grown in the eastern and 

 western extremes, with only a nominal number grown in 

 the center of the State. Pittsburgh, as a market and 

 shipping center, has a number of good growers within easy 



