THE CARNATION. 35 



in the houses in permanent beds, thus saving the trouble 

 of transplanting, and they claim that, as seems quite 

 probable, the plants being saved from any check, they 

 are less likely to be attacked by the various diseases to 

 which this plant is subject. As the plants are more 

 closely under the eyes of the florist, they are less likely 

 to be neglected and a better growth can be secured, pro- 

 vided the air can be kept sufficiently cool during the hot 

 weather of summer. 



For growing plants in this way, it is desirable that 

 the houses should be large and airy, and unless the sash 

 can be removed from at least one side of the roof during 

 the summer, abundant side ventilation should be pro- 

 vided. The short-span-to-the-south houses seem well 

 adapted for this purpose, while the even span is prefer- 

 able to the ordinary three-quarter span form. It is 

 almost necessary that the benches be deep and solid. 

 For a house twenty feet wide, no better arrangement 

 can be made than that shown in Fig. 7, with two 

 benches, each about seven feet wide, with walks at the 

 center and at each side of the house. Sub-irrigation is 

 especially desirable for the house-grown plants, and this 

 can be readily arranged, according to the methods ex- 

 plained elsewhere in these pages. 



It is even more desirable that proper soil should be 

 provided than when they are first grown in the field. 

 It should be not less than eight inches thick, and should 

 consist of from one-half to two-thirds rotten sods, the 

 balance being decomposed manure and sand, in propor- 

 tion according to the character of the sods. The plants 

 may, if desired, be given one shift before they are 

 planted out, but it is desirable that they be placed in 

 the beds by the first of June. When there is a demand 

 for flowers in the fall it is a good plan to plant in the 

 open ground some of the early varieties, so that they 

 can be covered with a frame when cold weather comes 



