82 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



sufficiently high to admit of extra meshes being added 

 as these are required. 



USE OF MANURES 



The application of natural and artificial manures is one 

 requiring an intelligent observation of the requirements of 

 the plants. Soils vary greatly in degree of fertility ; but, 

 no matter how rich in plant food a soil may be, the limited 

 quantity a pot will contain, compared with the roots a 

 healthy plant possesses, causes it to become exhausted. 

 The Carnation being a gross-feeding plant, I look upon 

 the careful use of stimulants as one of the principal items in 

 its successful culture. In many instances, the food is not 

 afforded until the plants are in a starving condition, and 

 they are then unable to make good use of rich food sud- 

 denly applied. The cultivator should commence early with 

 weak applications of soot and manure water, gradually 

 increasing the amount as the plants grow stronger and 

 older. Considerable care must be exercised in applying 

 chemical manures, and some knowledge of their effects on 

 plant growth is necessary, much harm being done by a too 

 constant use of these manures, especially during the winter 

 months. At one time I recommended that manures should 

 be withheld during the winter and flowering periods ; but 

 as this kind of Carnation is perpetual in its flowering, so it 

 is perpetual in its need of plant food, and, even during the 

 winter months, weak stimulants given at least once a week 

 are beneficial, and they do not affect the lasting qualities or 

 colours of the flowers. Nitrogen is contained in varying 

 quantities in all natural manures, such as pigeon, hen, deer, 



