Carnation Culture in the Mountains 



and leave some soil on the roots. After the first good watering, just above 

 the roots, we spray frequently, if the weather is bright, and keep the ventila- 

 tors wide open. As the plants begin to take hold, we discontinue spraying, 

 excepting at intervals, to wash them off, and to assist in keeping down red 

 spider. For this pest we use salt water, applied with an "Auto-Spray" 

 pump. This application also assists in keeping down snails and other insects. 

 A four-inch potful of salt to two gallons of water is used, and, when washed 

 off the plants with the hose, is very beneficial, making the growth firm, 

 and improving the color. 



We have discarded the V-shaped wire netting, and consider the wire 

 stretched horizontally between the rows, and twine cross-wise, as infinitely 

 superior, as well as cheaper than any other supporting device yet invented. 

 The work of giving support is attended to as soon as planting is finished; 

 after which, a light mulch, of especially prepared rich soil, is put on and 

 worked in lightly. 



If we plant early in August, we commence feeding with liquid manure in 

 November, provided the plants are growing vigorously, the amount of stimu- 

 lating they can stand depending entirely on how the soil is managed, thorough 

 watering, and the manner in which temperature and ventilation are regulated. 



A temperature of 58 to 60 degrees for the early part of the night, with 

 a drop to 55 or 50 degrees by morning, is, we believe, the ideal temperature, 

 and in keeping with the natural conditions as we find them when the plants 

 make their best growth out-of-doors. A day temperature of 60 to 65 degrees, 

 for cloudy days, and 70 to 80 degrees, for sunlight, is our rule. If the air out- 

 side is cold, we adhere to the first figures, and, if warm, the latter. 



We believe in disbudding, and attend rigorously to this item, allowing 

 the side buds to get large enough to be easily handled before removing them. 



At the approach of late spring, we give an occasional dressing of nitrate 

 of soda, simply broadcasting it thinly over the plants before watering. 

 In this way the vitality of the plants can be prolonged well into the 

 summer. 



We begin shading from the middle to he latter part of April, using 

 naphtha, or gasolene, and white lead. 



HENRY WEBER 



Henry Weber, of Oakland, Maryland, was born in the Province of Hessen-Cassel, 

 Germany, in 1835. His father, John Weber, was a farmer and died at the age of 

 sixty-three. The subject of this sketch is the youngest and only survivor of five children. 



As is customary in Germany, Henry Weber attended the Government schools until he 



is 273 



