
w/e Ue of Wack Cloth Shading 
to eats the averting OSeaion 
The’ varieties in the following list lend themselves satisfactorily to black cloth shading. The dates op- 
posite the varieties are those found most satisfactory when the given blooming date is desired. 
Use a good durable Black Cloth which has no less than 64 x 104 threads to the inch. Best results are 
obtained when the light intensity under the cloth when applied is 2 ft. candles or less. More light inten- 
sity than this will result in aria vec flowering and unevenness in bloom. 
The cloth should be applied at 5:00 P.M. and removed at 7 A.M. Shading is continued on pompons until 
the latest buds show color and most of the flowers are well developed. On the large flowering varieties 
shading can be discontinued after all flowering buds have attained the diameter of approximately half 
an inch. 
Make sure that covering is complete on all benches shaded, as any leaks in light will cause uneven spots 
in the bench at flowering time. 
lt is not recommended that the large flowering varieties be grown outdoors under shade, unless prop- 
er protection is provided. Fall rains and wind storms play havoc with large flowers when not protected. 
Therefore, inside growing is suggested unless proper overhead protection is provided. 
Best results are obtained when varieties of approximately the same blooming date are used for any one 
particular shading. When a spread in blooming dates is desired, repeated shading of a few varieties at 
weekly or ten-day intervals has proven more satisfactory than grouping a large number of varieties into 
any one shading. The shading dates given are those which have been found to be best for the respec- 
tive varieties. We recommend benching six weeks prior to shading. 
When only one branch is desired following a pinch, soft pinching should be practiced. Removal of the 
mere tip is best, for example, when standards are pinched to avoid crown buds. Thus the final pinch on 
standards should be a soft pinch. 
When several breaks are desired as in pinching of pompons, the pinch should be low enough to remove 
all of the soft growth. The lowest point at which the stem breaks off readily is about right for this type 
of pinch. 
For strong stems a single pinch is best. With more pinches plants become successively weaker. 
As an added suggestion, we would recommend the removal of black cloth after night fall to allow for a 
better circulation of air. This would prevent the accumulation of dampness and the unfavorable results 
that usually occur therefrom. This of course will cause considerable extra work as the cloth must be re- 
placed before morning. We feel however, that as this will improve the growth and the foliage it will 
be well worth the effort. Perfection is never obtained without added effort. 
