Carnations for Pot Culture 



wash or pond by the highroad side, or dry road grit in lieu thereof, laid up to dry and 

 run through a sieve. 



"For an abridged quantity take : Five barrows of loam or maiden earth ; eight to 

 nine barrows of horse dung from frames (i. e., well rotted) ; one barrow of coarse sand, 

 or more, according to the nature of the loam, stiff soils requiring more sand. Mix 

 thoroughly and throw together on a heap, or ridge, and turn two or three times during 

 the winter, especially in frosty weather, that the ingredients may be well and evenly 

 incorporated. 



"On a dry day, towards the end of November, take a barrowful of fresh lime, which, 

 as soon as slacked, strew over the heap while hot, meanwhile turning the heap ; this 

 accelerates the rotting of the fibrous materials, lightens the soil and destroys grubs, 

 worms and slugs." 



I would further recommend that this soil be sterilized about a month 

 previous to using. Sterilization further accelerates the rotting of fibrous ma- 

 terials, tends to increase the available content of plant food, and also 

 destroys weed seeds, spores of fungi and all insect pests, or their eggs. Hogg 

 further says : 



"If any objection be stated that the quantity of dung is too great in proportion to 

 that of loam, 1 answer that such an objection might be well founded if the compost 

 were to be used immediately on its being mixed together; but as it has to lie six 

 months before it is used, I am decidedly of the opinion that the quantity is not more 

 than is necessary, in order to insure a luxuriant growth and a generous bloom. 



"The thoroughbred florist, who derives pleasure from the pursuit, and who has 

 always the flower-fever strong upon him ; who has rivals to contend with ; who is 

 incited by the love of fame, and the hope of winning the first splendid prize at some 

 exhibition ; who will walk fifty miles to catch a glimpse of some new, celebrated flower, 

 and who, if it meets his fancy, will sooner pawn the coat from off his back than not 

 to obtain it ; who will leave his warm and comfortable bed at midnight to rise and 

 destroy the cursed earwigs that shall dare to attack his favorite blossom; will begrudge 

 no labor, and neglect no pains, to perform this part well, on which he knows his chance 

 of success principally depends. With the latter, especially if he be young in the fancy, 

 my only fear is, lest he overdo the part. To such a one, if you give a receipt for 

 any particular composition, and recommend one peck of soot, most probably he will put 

 two; if two pounds of salt, he will put four; if three pails of blood, he will put six; if 

 four barrows of sugar-baker's scum, he will put eight ; and so on. 



"Removing the plants into large pots to bloom. 



"In our variable climate, the first week in April is the safest and best time to per- 

 form this ; the pots generally made use of for this purpose are those of twelve or sixteen 

 to a cast. 



"A twelve-size pot will contain three or four plants, according to their habit of 

 growth ; a sixteen, two or three, according to the same rule. Be careful to put two or 

 three large bits of tile at the bottom, or the hollow part of a large oyster-shell, resting 

 upon a tile, to preserve drainage for the water. Stagnant water, whether in pots, or 

 in the open fields, is alike prejudicial to all plants, except aquatics. 



"The pots to be filled three parts full with compost, in its rough, or coarse, state 



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