FERTILIZERS FOR CARNATIONS 91 



productiveness of bloom; and out of six tests of single fertilizers 

 Nitrate of Potash gave the best results. Need theory, experience, 

 and philosophy, on fertilizers for carnation seek any more con- 

 clusive information ? 



The consensus of opinion today is, that partially decayed 

 manure is positively injurious to carnation plants, and no matter 

 how well rotted, it does not contain all the elements of food that 

 carnations need for their highest development. 



There is a growing trend towards the use of chemical car- 

 nation nutriments. The chemical and physiological knowledge 

 now possessed of plants, points to phosphoric acid, potash, and 

 nitrogen, as the three prime elements in plant growth, and all 

 fertilizers should possess one or more of these elements in some 

 form. 



Prof. Weyman's great fertilizing formula contains all the 

 mineral elements of carnation food. 



Phosphate of ammonia 2 oz. 



Nitrate of Soda 1} oz. 



Sulphate of ammonia if oz. 



Water 50 gal. 



Mix and use a light application to the soil every ten days. 

 A very successful carnation grower for a top dressing on his 

 carnation benches, uses 



Screened stable manure 4 bushels. 



Ground bone % peck. 



Wood ashes ^ bushel. 



Slacked lime ^ peck. 



Ground bone and the potash in wood ashes are always in 

 order. Sheep manure is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus. 

 Ground bone and well rotted manure is one of the best fertilizers 

 for carnations, both in the field and on the benches. 



The following formulas possess, theoretically, the best carna- 

 tion food, while for efficiency they have been practically tested: 



Nitrate of Soda 31 lbs. 



Sulphate of Ammonia 13 lbs. 



Phosphoric Acid 130 lbs. 



Sulphate of Potash 26 lbs. 



