COMMERCIAL FLOWERS 21 



early in June (early and late varieties will be treated under separate 

 headings). Cuttings struck early in April should he in fine condition for 

 June planting, nine inches apart each way is about the right distance. 

 II' the demand is for medium rather than large flowers they may he stop- 

 ped, allowing two or more breaks to grow on, each to make a bloom. 



Soil Fibrous sods cut ."> inches thick and piled grass side down the 

 preceding fall with one-fifth their bulk of halt* decomposed immure makes 

 an excellent compost for filling the benches. If it is heavy clay some 

 sharp sand should be added to increase the porosity. 



Four or five inches of soil in the bench is the right depth, the former 

 preferable. When planting firm well around the plants, leaving a slight 



FIG. 7. BENCH OF "IVORY" TIED TO WIRES. 



depression to receive the first few waterings, the object of this course is to 

 keep the soil from becoming sour. As soon as there are signs of active 

 growth which, usually requires about two weeks, the water should be in- 

 creased gradually until the whole is thoroughly saturated. 



Fresh cut sods are equally serviceable provided they are properly 

 handled. If cut as directed three inches thick, one thickness may be laid 

 grass side down and the remainder of the bench space filled with fine soil, 

 or they may be run through a sod crusher, placing the coarser part at 

 the bottom and the fine on top. If either these methods are adopted a 

 light covering of manure may be placed on the bottom of the bench before 

 filling. We have grown thousands of fine blooms without the use of ma- 

 nure, relying upon light applications of chemicals as the plants required it. 

 Fibrous sods supply abundance of humus which is so essential to plant life. 



Tiiimj As soon as the plants are 8 inches in height some arrange- 

 ment must be made for staking and tying. There are several systems : 



