HANDLING YOUNG CARNATION PLANTS. 



41 



cuttings and are at the same time a species of pruning and disbud- 

 ding for crown flowers. Cuttings taken near the top of the 

 plant contain in them more advanced flower germs than those se- 

 cured at the base of the plant, and are more likely to bloom earlier. 

 Aside from this fact it is immaterial from what part of the plant 

 the cuttings are taken. The upper parts of plants have better 

 light and ventilation and therefore are healthier than shoots around 

 their base. No cuttings showing signs of shooting a bud should 

 be used. The cutting crop is usually considered secondary to the 

 crop of bloom. Early struck cuttings should be carried from two 

 into four-inch pots if necessary. 



The period of striking carnation cuttings is from August to 

 April. Plants of later varieties, and those designed for early in- 

 side, or out-of-door blooming, should be struck in the early part of 

 this period. A rooted cutting advances a carnation's life ninety 

 days over one germinated from a seed. 



HANDLING YOUNG CARNATION PLANTS. 



Figure 1. Wrong position for a cutting in the sand 



