Carnation Culture in Massachusetts 



wanted. No. 12 wire on each side of the bench, and No. 22 galvanized wire 

 between the rows, I find the best sizes. 



Send careful men to lift the plants in the field. Be very careful to retain 

 the small roots on pot-grown stock. Keep the plants covered from the sun 

 to prevent them drying out, and be sure that the balls are moist before plant- 

 ing. Of course dull weather is most suited to the operation of transplant- 

 ing, but one cannot always wait for it. 



Have a good man working on each side of the bench (and your best 

 men are none too good, as much depends on careful planting). Instead of 

 digging a hole for the plant, pound the soil with the closed fist, which will 

 usually make an indention deep enough for the ball; spread out the roots 

 carefully, and be sure that the plant is not set any deeper than it was when 

 growing in the field. Deep planting in the houses is a serious matter, and 

 the cause of untold loss from stem-rot. 



I find it pays to put a wire support to each plant before planting the 

 next ; the old Excelsior support answers the purpose well, as I use the wires 

 and twine later. 



Water carefully and in sufficient supply to thoroughly wet the soil 

 through in the vicinity of the roots. Shade the houses for a few days, with 

 fire-clay, or some material easily removed by rains or hose. Keep all walls, 

 and space under the benches, dampened down until root action is well estab- 

 lished ; don't allow the plants to get dry and wilted on any account, but avoid 

 getting the soil in a water-logged condition, which is equally bad. Keep a 

 sharp lookout for aphis and red spider. Fumigating with tobacco stems, 

 or powder, is a safeguard for the former; and syringing with salt a two 

 and a quarter-inch potful to a pail of water, and applied in a fine spray 

 is a sure remedy for the latter. Don't wait until you see the pests ; apply 

 the preventives once a week or ten days, and remember that ''an ounce of 

 prevention is worth more than a pound of cure." Carefully pinch off all 

 flower stems that come too short, and encourage all strong growth. Dis- 

 bud at regular intervals, and as soon as surplus buds can be removed without 

 injury to the main flower. 



Cultivate between the rows, just deep enough to remove the weeds 

 as they appear ; but don't disturb the small feeding roots, if possible. Should 

 the soil show signs of becoming sour, an application of air-slaked lime will 

 sweeten and regulate the evil. This lime may be applied with beneficial 

 results all through the forcing season. 



See to it that the network of wires and twine is put up before growth 

 advances far, as it is then easier applied, and prevents crooked stems and 



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