CARNATION GROWING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 8, 22 February 1908, Page 36

CARNATION GROWING.

At the monthly meeting of the .Royal Horticultural Society’ of Victoria, held on October 10th, a lecture on carnation growing was delivered by Mr. F. S. Bryant, a member of the society. The chairman, in introducing Air. Bryant, said that gentleman was well known as an enthusiast on carnations. The society always welcomed amateurs who devoted their undivided attention to one or tw o flow ers. Very often professionals could learn a great deal from amateurs of the type of Mr. Bryant, who made a special study of growing carnations. Mr. Bryant addressed the meeting at considerable length, and gave a very lucid explanation of his methods of raising carnations. One of the principal considerations in the growing of carnations was soil. A mixture of clay and sand in equal proportions provided a good soil, with the addition of a little vegetable matter. Sand kept in check fungoid diseases. The soil should be kept in perfect tilth. Carnations would not thrive well in sodden soil, which should be stirred during summer. He also illustrated his mode of propagation from cuttings and seed. Cuttings, about 4J inches in length, should Im* planted about Hie middle of April to June. The cuttings should be cut oil’ level at a joint, and placed in clean, well-watered sandy soil. In raising from seed the soil should be roasted before using. Layering was also very carefully 7 illustrated and explained by’ him, while fertilisation was a most interesting operation. Wonderful progress had been made during the past fifty years in cultivating the carnation to perfection, especially in regard to the height of the plant and the quality of the bloums. The use of cow

manure improved the blooms, but bonemeal lasted longer, and should be applied when the buds were forming. The application of lime not only assisted the growth, but was a remedy for many fungoid diseases. Covering the blooms improved the colour, especially the pinkcoloured varieties. One of the worst diseases was rust, which makes its appearance on the leaf in little red postules. In dry’ weather the rust blows about, and the disease soon spreads from one plant to another. Spraying with permanganate of potash, made in the proportion of sixpence worth to two gallons of water, was a good remedy, ami also dusting with lime when the dew was on the plant was very 7 effective. Soaperine was one of the best remedies he had yet tested for destroying insect pests troublesome to carnations and roses. This fact was not generally known, and lie had received several inquiries from the Adelaide Association regarding this new preparation, known as Soaperine. It would cure mealy 7 bug. Thrip was kept in check by a plentiful supply 7 of water.