62 AMERICAN CARNATION CULTURE. 



were primarily vascular, and converted into hard structures by 

 collapsed cells. 



The circulation of a carnation is effected by the transfusion 

 of its blood through the permeable cell walls of its structure, by 

 exosmosis and endosmosis. The process is slow and forbids the 

 assumption that its nature can dispose of much water, and asserts 

 with its small area of leaf surface, that it is on the dry side of the 

 average class of nature's plants. 



Forty years of experimental carnation growing in this country 

 has reached one unquestioned conclusion. It is, moderate moisture 

 fot its roots and fairly dry atmosphere for its foliage. 



OVER-HEAD WATERING. 



The foliage of healthy carnations is covered with a thin 

 waxy substance called bloom. It varies in color from a steel 

 blue to a sea green. It seems to be a shield against moisture, 

 it is impervious and sheds water like the oiled feathers on a duck's 

 back. The purpose of this wet resisting bloom is not definitely 

 understood, but it can safely be taken as a warning against an 

 excess of foliage moisture. 



The most progressive and successful growers never over-head 

 water their carnations after the flush given them on their removal 

 to the benches from the field. The physiological reason is not very 

 obvious unless it resides in the fact that wet closes the automatic 

 valves of the plant's exhaling organs, and for a time arrests the 

 breathing functions of the foliage, and thereby for the nonce 

 gives spores and germs less vital resistance to their depredations. 

 It is a known fact that leaf moisture favors the vegetation of 

 rust spores. When it is deemed necessary to spray carnations with 

 liquid germicides, or insecticides, or with water for other reasons, it 

 should be done on a clear sunny morning, that the foliage may 

 dry as soon as possible. 



SURFACE WATERING. 



The system of surface watering most approved is between 

 the rows of the benched carnations keeping the nozzle of the 

 hose close to the ground and with a force of water that will splash 



