48 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



Keeping in mind that all our plants have to be layered, and 

 that the layers spread themselves out, it would be a grave error 

 to put the plants too closely together. Anything less than i foot 

 apart in the rows, with 15 inches from row to row, is out of the 

 question, for it would unnecessarily cramp the operators and crowd 

 the layers, especially where the plants were well grown and each 

 had a number of growths. Not only this, but in a nursery there 

 must be room to move about among them for sticking, tying, 

 disbudding, etc., so that the space signified, though perhaps ample 

 does not err on the side of generosity. 



If the soil in which you are planting happens to be on the heavy 

 side, there will be little need to firm your plants down, for something 

 may be left to the settling down of such soil ; but in lighter soils 

 it is very essential that they be well firmed when planted, their 

 after-growth and well-being depending upon it. Do not plant 

 too shallow, neither plant too deeply, but if you sink your plants 

 so that the first pair of leaves are at the ground level, you cannot 

 do wrong. Almost invariably any leaves partly buried will soon 

 part from the plant, and that is always a pity, for foliage always 

 has its own functions to perform, and should not be let or hindered. 

 On a young carnation the foliage never exceeds the requirements 

 of the plant, and care should be taken to preserve it rather than 

 to injure. 



