SUB-WATERING. 



63 



the foliage as little as possible. This can best be accomplished 

 by attaching the hose to three feet or less of half-inch metallic 

 pipe. A system that has several reasons to commend, is to 

 make a moderate furrow midway between each carnation row 

 across the bench, and let the water from the hose flow into this 

 furrow. It saves the lower foliage of the plants, which is most 

 likely to be damaged from becoming wet, and takes it the 

 longest to dry. 



SUB-WATERING. 



Professor Arthur is entitled to the initial credit, if any is due, 

 for the system of sub-watering carnations. As it is difficult to 

 briefly convey an understanding of this mode of supplying water 

 to carnation roots, I give a figure of Arthur's plan. 



J=?H:f.v;^^ r ,^^^ a 



FIG. 3. Cross-section of bench for sub-watering: a glass tube forming a water gauge; 

 b vertical tube for conveying water to the pan; c layer of brick standing on the zinc- 

 lined bottom, and supporting the soil above. (From Ind. Exper. Sta., Bui. No. 66.) 



The bench is fitted with a water-tight lining of zinc, on the 

 bottom of which are placed, on their edges, moderately soft brick 

 with their lower angles chipped off to permit freer movement of 

 the water between them. On the top of these bricks is thrown 

 the bench soil in which the usual methods are followed. 



It is known that carnation plants of the L,a Puritie type are 

 almost an immune against a water famine, and no plants so 



