TESTIMONY OF CARNATION GROWERS. 53 



in their disputative era. It is possible that the most practical 

 and economical house bed, or bench, for carnations, has not yet 

 been evolved, and habits of varieties may yet determine it. 



An experienced grower on both beds and benches writes: 

 "Bradt and Olympia will not do on solid beds. I find no difference 

 between Gomez and Croker on beds or benches. White Cloud has 

 done the best of any of the whites on beds " 



Another observing grower, on both beds and benches, says: 

 "I do not get as many flowers off of my carnations in beds as on the 

 benches by ten per cent, but this loss is fully retrieved by less 

 care for the plants and less cost of beds than benches." 



A medley of opinions from leading growers as to the relative 

 merits of solid beds and raised benches, for raising carnations, like 

 the following have been received, which shows that the question has 



not yet crystallized into a uniform or scientific shape. "Carna- 

 tions are more disposed to burst their calyxes on solid beds." 

 "Carnations grow with great vigor on solid beds but produce less 

 flowers." "I like beds for some varieties and benches for others." 

 "I want no beds." "I would change all my benches to beds if 

 my houses were suited for it." "Beds are better in the summer, 

 and benches in the winter." 



There are a few unquestioned facts relative to beds and 

 benches for carnations. Beds are the cheapest in the long run, a 

 more uniform moisture is maintained for the roots; they require 

 less attention to watering, the plants are more robust, and if they 

 produce less early, they yield more flowers later; the crop of bloom 

 cannot be so well forced on beds; though more vigorous they are 

 not as a consequence more florescent. Some varieties of carnations 

 may improve on one or the other of these conditions, but the list 

 is not determined. Benches generally are more elevated, and more 

 convenient for working with the plants; the heating pipes are by 

 the side, or a few inches beneath the bottom of the benches, 

 and the forcing of the susceptible nature of this plant is placed 

 under immediate control. Plants on benches are nearer the 

 glass; the roots subjected, if desired, to more or less heat; restricted 

 as to quanity of earth; all three of these tend to develop the re- 

 productive features of the plants which culminate into flowers. 



