CARNATION SUPPORTS 99 



another has made its appearance, been given a trial, and 

 then been laid aside for a more improved means or method. 

 Wood strips were tried by some, cane stakes had their 

 time, even galvanized wire stakes such 

 as are now much used for Roses and 

 Chrysanthemums were resorted to, but 

 all without entire satisfaction. Because 

 of the many blooms on each plant the 

 idea of tying them to a stake with string 

 seemed unsatisfactory, and attention Fig. i 



was turned to some sort of an arrange- 

 ment to encircle the plant. Hog netting or fencing was 

 stretched lengthwise over the bench and the plants were 

 encouraged to grow up through the squares. Only a few 

 gave this a trial. It proved to be a nuisance to work 

 with, it offered serious difficulties to soil cultivation and 

 failed to suit the growers who tried it. 



String and wire tying was the next to make its appear- 

 ance. Wires were stretched between the plants lengthwise 

 of the bench and strings were run crosswise of the bench 

 between rows. This method is still in use in many ranges 

 over the country, but it has disadvantages. With the string 

 and wire the plants are apt to become matted and grow up 

 into an adjoining square in place of into the square directly 

 above. They are not held apart from each other and for 

 this reason it is difficult to pick the blooms conveniently. 

 This string and wire method also hinders the best and 

 easiest cultivation of the soil, since it is very difficult to 

 work in and around the plants. The time required to tie 

 up Carnations by this method is very great. Many 

 patent supports can be erected in less than one-half the 

 time. 



Some fifteen years ago, almost simultaneously, in two 



