84 PLANT CULTURE 



out IS inches apart each way, or 15 inches apart and 3 feet between 

 the rows, according to the method of cultivating. Let the plants 

 be in the ground some time before getting their first pinching. 

 Cultivating must be assiduously practiced during their stay in the 

 field. It serves three purposes: Keeps the roots cool, prevents loss 

 of water by evaporation, and discourages the growth of weeds. 

 Flower shoots are nipped out as soon as they appear until the plants 

 have made sufficient growth, or a short time before they are re- 

 moved to their flowering quarters. 



Lifting and Planting. This is done at different seasons, some- 

 times early, but usually in September. In some soils it is difficult 

 to lift with a ball; in others, easy. Some growers shake the soil 

 from the roots, no matter in what soil plants have been grown. As 

 the Carnation is rapid in forming feeding roots it is easy to under- 

 stand why it is desirable to have the roots entirely in the most 

 favorable soil, such as that with which the benches should be filled; 

 but the safer and more logical method is to have a moderate amount 

 of soil accompanying the roots from the field to the bench. When 

 the plants are lifted without soil clinging to the roots they should 

 be protected from the drying influence of the atmosphere as much 

 as possible. As soon as lifted place them in a receptacle, from 

 which they do not have to be removed until they are planted in the 

 bench soil. Put the roots about the same depth in the bench as 

 they were in the soil from which they were taken; make moderately 

 firm; water well and shade for the first few days. Use a shade which 

 is easily removed. A mixture of clay and water may be applied 

 with a garden syringe; test it before applying to ascertain if it comes 

 off easily, as it sometimes sticks on longer than wanted. 



Planting in the House. This is a practice which has become 

 common during the last few years, that is, putting the plants into 

 the greenhouse beds instead of planting out of doors. It has its 

 advantages and disadvantages. In the Winter months the cut is 

 much larger than that from field-grown plants housed late in the 

 season, but this advantage is to a certain extent offset by having to 

 discard the old plants in May or earlier to make room for the new 

 ones and were all the Carnations planted after this method there 

 would be no flowers during the Summer months; therefore, both 

 methods will continue to have their advocates. 



SoiL This should be of a friable loam, mixed thoroughly some 

 time in advance of using with one-fifth of its bulk of rotted stable 

 manure. The depth of soil may be from 4 to 5 inches. The plants 



