Carnation Culture in Ohio 



prefer to take cuttings of the larger growing varieties from February to 

 the middle of March. 



The style of propagating bed is one built of bricks, laid end to end on 

 four-inch strips of one-inch lumber (red cedar, as it outlasts pine or 

 hemlock four to one). This exposes just one-half the bottom of the bed 

 to the heating pipes underneath. About two inches of clean sand is used. 

 This sand should never be employed the second time, as experience has 

 proven it dangerous, apt to breed fungus and cause other troubles, such 

 as damping, etc., no matter how temptingly clean the sand may appear. The 

 shading material should never be permitted to lie directly on the cuttings, 

 as it creates a smothering atmosphere that is detrimental. A space of 

 six inches (twelve inches will be found better) should at least be allowed. 



In selecting the cuttings from the blooming plant, the pips on the stem, 

 just where the stem is cut, and upward, should be used; the one on top 

 not being taken. From such varieties as do not make many cuttings along 

 the stem, I prefer to take the cuttings about the plant before they shoot 

 to a flowering stem. 



All cuttings are potted after being rooted, and are grown in a cool 

 temperature. After root action has started, the pots are plunged out in some 

 light soil (screened ashes from the boiler pit preferred, as these contain 

 no weed seed that will become troublesome) in cold frames, during March. 

 This helps the plants to harden for early planting, and there is no danger 

 of their becoming pot-bound. Plants in cold frames have an advantage 

 over those in the house, as the sash can be removed on any warm, bright 

 day, and the warm rains being permitted to fall on the stock during the 

 first part of April, before planting out, induce vigorous growth, which the 

 plants do not attain in the house under the most careful attention. 



Our planting season begins about the middle of April and ends about the 

 loth of May. It is very essential to the season's quality and quantity of 

 cut blooms to have plants, at lifting time, in the most vigorous and healthy 

 condition, and no amount of care should be spared in attaining this end. 



In preparing the soil for planting, we give the same a top-dressing 

 of good stable manure, ploughing to a depth and harrowing it thoroughly. 

 After this, we reverse the harrow and drag the field, which leaves the sur- 

 face smooth and well pulverized. Each plant is watered when set out, as a 

 safeguard against its wilting before the next rain, as we are liable to have 

 very drying winds at this season, and there is danger of the ball becoming 

 dry. 



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