Carnation Culture in Richmond, Indiana 



In supporting the carnation, we use a circle of wire, with a bent foot 

 for the first help; after that, wires are strung lengthwise of the bed, these 

 being cross-laced with twine, through which the stems of the carnations rise 

 as they grow. Two sets of wires, with interlaced twine, one above the other, 

 are necessary as the plants increase in height, the spacing of the second above 

 the first tier depending upon the length of stem of the variety supported. 



The distance that plants are spaced on the benches is usually ten or 

 eleven inches ; some varieties require wider spacing than others, and often an 

 unusually favorable growing season will necessitate planting twelve by twelve 

 inches. 



We seldom use stimulants, in the shape of liquids, or chemical fertilizers, 

 until the end of January, and then in a very cautious manner. We do, 

 however, use a mulch of old, well-rotted cow manure over our benches soon 

 after the plants start on their winter's growth. This is not so much for 

 the enrichment of the soil, as to prevent excessive evaporation on sunny days, 

 and to keep the soil in a nice, moist condition for the working of the young 

 roots. 



Watering is a science, and should be done by a careful and competent 

 man. It is one of those processes requiring an intelligent knowledge of 

 soils and plant natures, where extremes must be avoided, and where each 

 variety must be studied individually and water applied accordingly to keep 

 the plants in healthy, thrifty growth. One advantage of the tile bench is, 

 that it speedily corrects over-watering, which is direfully fatal in dark 

 weather, but on the other hand, the porosity of the tile requires a sharp 

 watch that the roots do not dry out in warm and sunny weather. 



Air is a prime factor in the healthy growth of carnations. Give air 

 on every sunny day ; and even in damp and wet weather it is still beneficial. 

 Better use a little heat to dry the atmosphere, even if it does go out of the 

 ventilators, and so sweeten and purify the house. 



A temperature of 52 to 54 degrees will be found productive of good, 

 hardy growth, with, say, 56 degrees for Mrs. Thomas W. Lawson and 

 Ethel % Crocker. 



Fungoid diseases and insect pests are present where inattention, or 

 carelessness, is allowed to govern. The use of tobacco is essential in keeping 

 down aphis and some other pests. Bordeaux mixture is a preventive of rust ; 

 but a careful picking of the infected foliage will tend to eradicate this dis- 

 ease. 



268 



