The Cahnation. 163 



are more in accord with natural conditions, at the season 

 of the year in which they do the best in the field. 



The soil, if it be a sandy loam sod, may be made as 

 strong as one part of manure to five of soil, but it is 

 imperative that the manure be' so thoroughly decom- 

 posed and mixed through the soil, as to render its pres- 

 ence difficult of detection. Bone meal and wood ashes 

 are also good, but to be available as food, should be 

 incorporated with the soil pile when made, and this 

 -should be several months in advance of the time when 

 it will be needed, in order to have it thoroughly de- 

 composed, as the structure of carnation roots is fine, 

 and they are impatient of any coarse or green material. 

 When necessary to supply food during their period of 

 flowering, if the dirt has settled so the top has fallen 

 below the balls of the plants, a light mulching between 

 the rows will be of benefit, otherwise it is ea.siest to 

 supply what is needed in a liquid state, but it is always 

 better to supply this in small doses and often, than to 

 give it in any abundance. Some growers supply a lit- 

 tle with the water every time it is applied to the soil. 

 For a change from the usual forms, aqua ammonia is 

 good, and if used should not exceed one pint to two 

 barrels of water, and in this strength no fears need bo 

 entertained of injury to the plants, even though used 

 quite often. As in the feeding of roses, it is well to 

 rotate liquids, but care must be taken not to give them 

 more than they can assimilate. 



