Carnation Culture in the Mountains 



more easily managed and regulated, particularly as regards temperature and 

 watering, the two most vital requisites connected with the unrooted cuttings. 

 Frequent watering and spraying is unnecessary, thus largely diminishing 

 the chances, or possibilities, of the development of cutting-bench fungus; in 

 fact, if the pips are not put too closely in the sand, we have not the slightest 

 fear of this disease. In this connection, I might say that we are never 

 compelled to renew our sand during the entire season. 



We ascribe all this to the advantages of the north-side propagating 

 house, properly heated and ventilated, and the comparatively little watering 

 and spraying required, as compared with a house which admits the direct 

 rays of the sun. The tendency to make soft growth in the north-side house 

 is practically overcome by keeping the cuttings on the dry side, as soon as 

 they begin to make roots, and their being removed as soon as strong enough. 



We use ordinary creek sand, which contains more or less loam, decayed 

 particles of twigs, leaves, etc. We consider the loam and other materials 

 mentioned beneficial rather than detrimental, for the reason that as soon as 

 the first tiny rootlets appear, they begin to take some nourishment ; and until 

 they are removed from the sand, in ten to fifteen days, they are adding to 

 the vitality, instead of being obliged to subsist on what small amount remains 

 to them, as in the case where absolutely clean sand is used, and which con- 

 tains no nourishment. 



In taking cuttings, we are not so particular as to what portion of the 

 plant the pips come from, as we are about the health and strength of the 

 plants. We refrain, however, from taking the topmost pips from the flower- 

 ing stems, and, also, the slow growth at the base of the plant. We also 

 prefer the cuttings to be of good size, and well developed. What we con- 

 sider the best cuttings are those taken from the short shoots before they 

 begin to lengthen, preparatory to developing buds. We break off these 

 shoots several joints away from the stem; cuttings so taken we regard as 

 being the ideal. 



We do very little trimming, and usually confine this operation to 

 removing the bottom leaves so as to prevent their lying flat on the sand ; and, 

 if the cuttings are very long, we remove a little from the top. The more 

 foliage removed the less vitality the pip has left on which to subsist until 

 rooted, or potted, or boxed up. 



We grow as much of our young stock as we can on benches, in two 

 and one-half or three inches of fairly rich soil ; and set the cuttings about three 

 inches apart each way. As soon as established, we grow them cool, both 

 night and day, affording plenty of fresh air. 



271 



