THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY Cop- UWVERSHY OP CIRCULATING CHECK FOR UNBOUND CIRCULATING COPY Experiments in the Use of Old Soil in Growing Carnations and Roses By F. F. WEINARD and S. W. DECKER UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Bulletin 400 CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION 3 I. FLOWER PRODUCTION OF CARNATIONS ON NEW AND OLD SOILS 3 Description of Carnation Experiments 3 Carnation Yields on New and Old Soils 5 Effects of Liming Carnation Soil 12 Effects of Steaming Carnation Soil 14 Losses of Plants on New and Old Soils 17 Occurrence of Split Flowers on New and Old Soils 19 Summary and Conclusions 20 II. FLOWER PRODUCTION OF ROSES ON NEW AND OLD SOILS. 20 Experiment With Premier Roses 20 Experiments With Ophelia, Golden Ophelia, and Silver Columbia Roses. 22 Summary and Conclusions 24 Urbana, Illinois March, 1934 Publications in the Bulletin series report the results of investigations made by or sponsored by the Experiment Station Experiments in the Use of Old Soil in Growing Carnations and Roses F. F. WEINARD, Associate Chief in Floricultural Physiology, and S. W. DECKER, formerly Associate in Floriculture IX GROWING carnations it is customary to renew the soil as well as the plants each year. Whether this annual discarding of soil is an economical practice is a question that may well be asked. Green- house soil is as a rule raised to a high state of fertility by the use of manure and commercial fertilizers, and at the end of a season a large percentage of the plant nutrient elements remains in the soil. Not only is much time and labor spent in changing soil, but it is often very difficult for urban florists to obtain new soil suitable for use in the benches or for potting. The experiments reported in the first part of this bulletin were therefore begun to determine whether the yields and quality of carna- tions were affected adversely by being grown on old soils. As the results seemed to vary with the plot, variety, and season, the tests were continued over a longer period than was at first contemplated. As it became apparent that yields, if not quality, were reduced to some ex- tent on old soil, efforts were made to produce crops fully comparable to those on new soil by the use of fertilizers and other soil treatments. This result was attained when old soil was steamed. Roses present a slightly different problem, as the plants are cus- tomarily grown for three years or longer in the same soil. Some grow- ers, however, advocate transplanting rose plants into new soil each year, and a few growers follow this method. The experiments with roses described on pages 20 to 24 were made to determine whether the changing of rose soil annually is worth while. Judging from the re- sults obtained, it is not an economical practice. I. FLOWER PRODUCTION OF CARNATIONS ON NEW AND OLD SOILS Description of Carnation Experiments Beginning in 1919 varying numbers of carnations were grown each year on old soil for comparison with a like number grown on new soil. New plots were added each season, and until 1927 carnations BULLETIN No. 400 [March, were grown on a complete series of soils of different ages. From 1927 to 1932 only certain ones of the older plots were retained. The greater part of a 100-foot house, containing four 4-foot benches, was devoted to these experiments. As a rule the different plots were moved about in the house each season. Benches were repaired as necessary at the time the plots were shifted. A layer of strawy manure was placed on the bottom of the bench before the soil was replaced. A chart of the house is given in Fig. 1, and the location of the plots each season may be found by referring to the chart. w. 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 12 11 10 9 16 15 14 13 FIG. 1. LOCATION OF PLOTS IN CARNATION HOUSE, 1919-1933 The field soil used thruout the experiments was a fertile upland prairie brown silt loam. 1 Manure was added to the soil in the bench or, in the later years, to the soil in the field. Details of the handling of the soil each season are given below. In the earlier years the plants in the experimental plots were used for propagating. Cuttings were taken in January, approximately equal numbers from each plot. In 1930-31 and after, separate lots of stock plants were grown for propagating purposes. Plants uniform in size and development were transplanted from the field the latter part of July or early in August. A night temperature of 52 F. was maintained during the growing season. The day temperature was kept at 58 F., or 63 and above on sunny days. Accurate records were kept of the number and quality of flowers produced. Plants put in the bench to replace those that died were not included in the records. Stem lengths and flower diameters were measured thruout the season, or during the midwinter months. The periods included in the records are shown in Table 1. '111. Agr. Exp. Sta. Soil Report No. 18. 1918. 1934] GROWING CARNATIONS AND ROSES TABLE 1. PERIODS INCLUDED IN CARNATION RECORDS, 1919-1933 Year Flower production Flower measurements 1919-20 Oct. 6 to Apr. 13 Oct. 6 to Apr. 13 1920-21 Oct. 6 to Mar. 20 Oct. 6 to Mar 20 1921-22 Sept. 22 to Mar. 15 Nov. 2 to Mar 15 1922-23 Oct. 2 to Mar. 26 Nov. 1 to Mar 26 1923-24 Oct. 1 to Apr. 16 Nov. 2 to Apr. 16 1924-25 Oct. 13 to May 1 Nov. 3 to Mar 26 1925-26 Oct. 14 to Apr. 13 Dec. 12 to Mar 30 1926-27 Nov. 2 to Mar. 21 Jan. 11 to Mar 21 1927-28 , Oct. 1 to May 31 Jan. 3 to Mar. 31 1928-29 Oct. 17 to May 17 Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 1929-30 Oct. 2 to May 29 Dec. 10 to Jan. 25 1930-31 Oct. 7 to May 29 1931-32 Oct. 15 to May 28 Jan. 2 to Feb. 29 1932-33 Oct. 1 to May 31 Feb. 8 to Feb. 28 Carnation Yields on New and Old Soils Yields of carnations may vary considerably in different parts of a house, even tho the soil treatment is uniform. These differences may be due to differences in temperature, light, and inherent differences in individual plants, factors which it is impractical to regulate. This makes it difficult or impossible to draw definite conclusions from soil experiments in any one season or with any given arrangement of plots. In the tables in this bulletin certain of the flower yields are printed in blacker type to indicate those which are statistically significant and which were most likely affected by soil differences. In many cases the decreases in yields on old soils were small and, in a good proportion of the trials, the yields on old soils were as good as or better than those on new. No apparent relation existed between the age of the old soil and yields of flowers. Averaging the results obtained with all varieties during the years of experimentation, about 11 percent fewer flowers were cut from plants on old soils than from plants on new soil. There were no noticeable differences in quality between flowers from old soils and flowers from new soil. The average stem length of flowers produced on new soil was 18.1 inches and the diameter 3.1 inches. The average stem length of flowers produced on old soils was 17.5 inches and the diameter 3.1 inches. 1 *In a similar experiment reported in Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 187 (1921), the yield of grade 1 and grade 2 flowers was re- duced on old soil about 5 percent. Judging from the tables presented, the reduc- tion in total yield on old soil was about 7 or 8 percent. The Ohio Station re- ported poor results with old soil with no manure or other fertilizer added (Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 449, 1930). BULLETIN No. 400 [March, First Year, 1919-20. Soil which had been planted to White Per- fection in 1918-19 was replanted with No. 1 12. After the old plants were pulled out, the soil was limed and 9 bucketfuls of manure, 4 pounds of superphosphate, and 2 pounds of dried blood per 100 square feet of bench space were added. The plot was spaded over several times and the soil kept moist until the new plants were placed in it on July 27. For comparison an equal number of plants were grown on new soil similarly fertilized. The crop on new soil was larger by about .53 flower per plant (7.3 percent) than the crop on old soil. The stems averaged a little longer and the flowers a trifle larger. (Table 2.) TABLE 2. CARNATION YIELDS ON NEW AND OLD SOILS, 1919-1924 Variety and year Soil Plot Number of plants Average number flowers a plant Average stem length Average flower diameter 1919-20 No. 1 12 New 2 100 7.28 .19 inches 18.6 inches 2.9 1920-21 Laddie 2-yr. New 1 3 100 95 6.75 .19 5.83 .15 17.9 20.8 2.8 3.6 1921-22 Laddie 2-yr. 3-yr. New 2 1 3 96 92 100 4 80 .12 5.00 .14 6.60 .12 19.5 19.5 19.7 3.4 3.4 3.5 White Enchantress 2-yr. 3-yr. 4-yr. New 4 2 1 5,6 104 100 98 196 6.35 + .14 6.72 .15 6.80 .15 11.15 .14 19.8 18.8 18.7 17.2 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.5 1922-23 Laddie 2-yr. New 7.8 (') 194 96 10.41 .14 6.58 .15 17.6 19.7 3.5 3.3 White Enchantress 2-yr. 3-yr. 4-yr. 5-yr. New 3 4 2 1 5,6 100 100 99 96 198 6.66 .14 6.68 .13 6.22 .13 6.37 .12 11.29 .15 18.4 18.3 18.2 17.6 16.2 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.3 1923-24 Laddie 3-yr. New 7,8 Ib. 8a 192 96 8 64 .15 7.26 .15 15.8 19.2 3.2 3.3 2-yr. 3-yr. 4-yr. 5-yr. 6-yr. 2a, 7b 2b, 7a 3a, 6b 3b. 6a 4a, 5b 96 95 95 96 96 6.72 .12 6.89 .11 6.82 .14 6 36 .14 6 32 .12 19.1 19.0 19.0 18.8 18.6 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.4 3.3 Adjoining house. 'Plots subdivided. Second Year, 1920-21. The second year a top dressing of rotted manure was spaded into the old soils. No manure was added to the new soil, and none of the plots were limed. Each plot received super- phosphate and dried blood at rates of 10 pounds and 1 pound, respec- 1934] ' GROWING CARNATIONS AND ROSES lively, per 100 square feet. The soils were prepared early in July and Laddie plants set in the bench on July 30. The crop was larger on new soil. On 2-year soil the decrease was 1.03 flowers a plant (17.7 percent), and on 3-year soil, .83 flower a plant (14.2 percent). Stem lengths and flower diameters likewise averaged slightly higher on new soil. (Table 2.) Third Year, 1921-22. In preparing both old and new soils for planting, 2 wheelbarrow loads of rotted manure, 10 pounds of super- phosphate, and 1 pound of dried blood were used per 100 square feet of bench space. The fertilizers were spaded in on July 23. Laddie and White Enchantress were planted on July 25. Where Laddie was used, the differences in yield between plants on new soil and those on soils 2, 3, or 4 years old did not seem signifi- cant. Stem lengths and flower diameters averaged a trifle less on the older soils. White Enchantress produced a much smaller crop on 2- year soil than on new soil, the difference being .74 flower a plant (6.6 percent). Stem lengths and flower diameters on old soils were equal to those on new soil. (Table 2.) Fourth Year, 1922-23. The soils were treated as they were the previous season and planted again with Laddie and White Enchantress. No significant differences were observed between the yields of Laddie on new soil and on soils 2, 3, 4, or 5 years old. The flowers were again a trifle larger and the stems longer, however, on the new soil. The crop of White Enchantress was much smaller on 3-year soil than on new soil, the difference amounting to 2.65 flowers a plant (16.3 per- cent). Stem lengths and flower diameters were slightly greater on new soil. (Table 2.) Fifth Year, 1923-24. The soils were prepared as in the two pre- vious years and the plots planted with Laddie. The decreases in yields on the old soils were of doubtful significance except in the case of the 5- and 6-year soils. The decreases on these two plots were about .9 flower a plant (12.4 percent). Stem lengths in these cases were slightly shorter than on new soil. (Table 2.) Sixth Year, 1924-25. All plots received 10 pounds of superphos- phate and 8 pounds of dried blood per 100 square feet. The varieties grown were Laddie and White Enchantress. Altho yields of Laddie were generally slightly lower on old soils, the only marked difference was on the 5-year soil. In this case the decrease was 1.18 flowers a plant (19.1 percent). With White Enchantress the greatest variations were noted with the 6- and 7-year soils. On the 6-year soil the yield was higher than on new soil by 1.37 flowers a plant (25.5 percent), B BULLETIN No. 400 [March, and on the 7-year soil it was lower by 1.41 flowers a plant (26.2 per- cent). On all other old soil plots the yields of White Enchantress were as good as or better than the yield on new soil. (Table 3.) TABLE 3. CARNATION YIELDS ON NEW AND OLD SOILS, 1924-1926 Variety and year Soil Plot Number of plants Average number flowers a plant Average stem length Average flower diameter 1924-25 inches inches Laddie New la, 8b 71 6.18 .15 19.3 3.2 2-yr. Ib. 8a 71 5.70 .15 18.2 3.3 3-yr. 2a. 7b 72 6.15 .17 17.6 3.3 4-yr. 2b, 7a 72 5.93 .18 18.4 3.3 5-yr. 3a. 6b 71 5.00 .15 17.6 3.3 6-yr. 3b, 6a 72 6.04 .20 18.5 3.3 7-yr. 4a, 5b 72 6.37 .18 17.4 3.2 White Enchantress New la, 8b 28 9.96 .40 15.8 3.2 2-yr. Ib, 8a 24 10.92 .47 15.6 3.3 3-yr. 2a, 7b 23 10.44 .34 14.6 3.4 4-yr. 2b, 7a 24 10.67 .38 15.0 3.3 5-yr. 3a, 6b 24 10.54 + .35 15.5 3.3 6-yr. 3b. 6a 24 11.33 .32 15.2 3.3 7-yr. 4a, Sb 22 8.55 .35 15.4 3.3 1925-26 Laddie New 4b, 5a 48 5.37 .22 23.8 3.3 2-yr. la, 8b 52 4.85 .23 24.6 3.3 3-yr. Ib, 8a 47 5.09 .22 23.4 3.2 4-yr. 2a, 7b 48 5.90 .19 24.2 3.4 5-yr. 2b, 7a 47 5.92 .22 24.5 3.4 6-yr. 3a, 6b 48 6.42 .19 23.5 3.4 7-yr. 3b, 6a 48 5.94 + .18 24.8 3.4 8-yr. 4a, Sb 48 5.50 .19 24.7 3.3 White Enchantress New 4b,5a 47 7.87 .20 20.5 3.4 2-yr. la, 8b 48 7.50 .23 20.2 3.3 3-yr. Ib, 8a 48 8.42 + .16 20.4 3.3 4-yr. 2a, 7b 48 8.62 .21 20.6 3.4 S-yr. 2b. 7a 48 8.75 .22 21.1 3.4 6-yr. 3a, 6b 48 8.44 + .17 20.9 3.4 7-yr. 3b, 6a 48 7.70 .19 20.3 3.4 8-yr. 4a, Sb 46 7.98 .17 19.4 3.5 'Plots subdivided. Seventh Year, 1925-26. All plots received a top dressing of rotted manure, one inch thick, 10 pounds of superphosphate, and 5 pounds of dried blood per 100 square feet. Potassium sulfate was used on the 8-year soil at the rate of 5 pounds to 100 square feet of plot. The yields on the old soil plots varied only slightly from the yields on new soil. The greatest difference was with Laddie on 6-year soil, where 1.05 more flowers were cut per plant (19.6 percent) than were cut from Laddie on new soil. There were no consistent differences in stem lengths or flower diameters. (Table 3.) Eighth Year, 1926-27. All plots received 20 pounds of ground limestone and 10 pounds of dried blood per 100 square feet. The fer- 1934} GROWING CARNATIONS AND ROSES tilizers were applied July 27 and the carnations planted August 4. The yields for the season varied. A significant decrease of 1.33 flowers a plant (29.3 percent) from the yield on new soil was noted with Betty Lou on 4-year soil and similar decreases with Laddie of 1.39 and 1.62 flowers a plant (33.9 and 39.5 percent) on 2- and 4-year soils. With Spectrum, yields on 2-, 3-, 6-, and 8-year soils were lower TABLE 4. CARNATION YIELDS ON NEW AND OLD SOILS, 1926-27 Variety Soil Plot Number of plants Average number flowers a plant Average stem length Average flower diameter inches inches Betty Lou New 9, 10, 11, 12 54 4.54 .27 16.0 2.9 2-yr. 6, 15 64 3.96 .19 14.6 2.8 3-yr. 5. 16 64 3.97 .15 15.1 2.9 4-yr. 14 29 3.21 .28 15.5 3.0 5-yr. 8 36 4.72 .25 16.0 2.9 6-yr. 2 35 3.77 .26 15.5 3.0 7-yr. 3 34 4.35 .24 15.9 3.0 8-yr. 4 34 3.71 .20 15.6 2.9 9-yr. 7 34 3.53 .22 16.7 3.1 Laddie New 9, 10, 11, 12 64 4.10 .18 21.3 3.4 2-yr. 6, 15 63 2.71 .17 19.5 3.2 3-yr. 5, 16 59 4.10 .17 18.8 3.2 4-yr. 14 27 2.48 .27 19.6 3.2 5-yr. 8 32 3.34 .26 20.4 3.3 6-yr. 2 32 3.34 .19 20.3 3.3 7-yr. 3 30 3.70 .20 20.9 3.3 8-yr. 4 31 4.22 .19 21.2 3.2 9-yr. 7 30 3.33 .23 21.8 3.5 Spectrum New 9, 10, 11, 12 64 8 30 .26 19.2 3.0 2-yr. 6, 15 59 6.37 .24 18.4 3.0 3-yr. 5,16 62 6.50 .26 17.8 3.0 4-yr. 14 24 5.67 .33 18.1 3.1 5-yr. 8 32 7.47 .35 18.6 3.1 6-yr. 2 31 6.55 .25 18.5 3.1 7-yr. 3 31 7.64 .31 18.6 3.1 8-yr. 4 30 7.03 .30 18.5 3.1 9-yr. 7 28 7.64 .37 18.9 3.1 than the yield on new soil. The differences were 1.93, 1.80, 1.75, and 1.27 flowers a plant (23.2, 21.7, 21.1, and 15.3 percent) respectively. No consistent differences in stem lengths or flower diameters occurred. (Table 4.) Ninth Year, 1927-28. All plots received manure. Carnations were planted August 5. Yields of Betty Lou on 9- and 10-year soils were lower by 1.51 and 2.09 flowers per plant (13.2 and 18.2 percent) than the yields on new soil. On 2-year soil Spectrum yielded 2.22 more flowers per plant (18.3 percent) than on new soil. There were no marked differences in stem lengths or flower diameters. (Table 5.) Tenth Year, 1928-29. New, 10-, and 11-year soils received 10 pounds of superphosphate and 5 pounds of dried blood per 100 square 10 BULLETIN No. 400 [March, feet of bench. Two-year soil received manure in addition to the other fertilizers. New and 2-year acid soils received hydrated lime at the rate of 10 pounds to 100 square feet. The fertilizers were worked into the soil on August 13 and carnations were planted on August 16. The yields of Early Rose on 2-, 10-, and 11-year soils were lower than on new soil by 2.10, 3.23, and 4.79 flowers a plant (10.7, 16.5, and 24.4 percent) respectively. Harvester showed a decrease of 1.51 flowers a plant (11.3 percent) on 2-year soil. With Laddie the differences were not marked. There were no consistent differences in stem lengths or flower diameters on new and on old soils. (Table 5.) TABLE 5. CARNATION YIELDS ON NEW AND OLD SOILS, 1927-1929 Variety and year Soil Plot Number of plants Average number flowers a plant Average stem length Average flower diameter 1927-28 Betty Lou New 7, 8 40 11 46 .25 inches 14.5 inches 3.1 2-yr. 9-yr. 10-yr. New 11, 12 3 4 7, 8 40 37 38 50 12.10 .30 9.95 + .37 9.37 .30 6.76 .19 14.5 14.4 14.3 19.3 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.5 Spectrum 2-yr. 9-yr. 10-yr. New 11. 12 3 4 7, 8 50 43 44 40 6.61 .21 6.00 .28 6.10 .29 12.10 + .38 18.9 19.2 18.9 17.7 3.4 3.4 3.5 3.1 1928-29 Early Rose 2-yr. 9-yr. 10-yr. New 11, 12 3 4 10, 11, 12 34 38 40 132 14.32 .45 13.26 + .31 12.15 .37 19.61 .29 17.7 17.8 17.2 11.9 3.1 3.2 3.0 2.6 Harvester 2-yr. 10-yr. 11-yr. New 2,6. 14 3 4 10, 11, 12 134 44 45 144 17.51 .26 16.38 4- .40 14.82 .49 13.38 .21 11.8 11.5 10.8 12.8 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.7 Laddie 2-yr. 10-yr. 11-yr. New 2,6, 14 3 4 10, 11, 12 150 50 49 82 11.87 .18 12.54 + .38 12.45 .38 3.20 .17 13.7 12.5 12.8 15.9 2.7 2.7 2.7 3.2 2-yr. 10-yr. 11-yr. 2,6, 14 3 4 80 23 28 2.67 .12 3.26 .32 2.96 .26 15.3 14.3 15.0 3.2 3.0 3.0 Eleventh Year, 1929-30. New, 11-, and 12-year soils received 10 pounds of superphosphate and 5 pounds of dried blood per 100 square feet of bench. A mulch consisting of equal parts of rotted manure and peat was turned into the 2-year soil. Carnations were planted on August 5. The yields of Early Rose were smaller on 2-, 11-, and 12- year soils by 3.48, 4.48, and 3.88 flowers a plant (17.0, 21.9, and 18.9 percent), respectively, than on new soil. With Harvester there was 1934} GROWING CARNATIONS AND ROSES 11 a significant decrease on 12-year soil of 2.83 flowers a plant (22.7 per- cent). With Spectrum there were significant decreases on 2-year and 12-year soils of 1.58 and 1.85 flowers a plant (13.0 and 15.2 percent) respectively. There were no consistent differences in stem lengths or flower diameters on new and on old soils. (Table 6.) TABLE 6. CARNATION YIELDS ON NEW AND OLD SOILS, 1929-1931 Variety and year Soil Plot Number of plants Average number flowers a plant Average stem length Average flower diameter 1929-30 Early Rose New 11, 12 97 20.48 .44 inches 14.3 inches 2.6 Harvester 2-yr. 11 -yr. 12-yr. New 16 7 8 11, 12 47 38 49 46 17.00 .54 16.00 .48 16.60 .45 12.45 .65 13.8 13.3 14.5 15.3 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.8 Spectrum 2-yr. 11-yr. 12-yr. New 16 7 8 11, 12 23 23 24 85 13.50 .87 12.09 .69 9.62 .61 12.11 .31 15.7 14.5 14.3 18.6 2.9 2.7 2.8 3.0 1930-31 Early Rose 2-yr. 11-yr. 12-yr. New 16 7 8 7 43 34 38 35 10.53 .37 10.60 .43 10.26 .38 20.37 .48 18.3 16.3 18.8 14.2 3.0 2.8 2.9 2.7 Harvester 2-yr. 12-yr. 13-yr. 2 8 4 7 32 30 35 44 18.84 + .52 22.30 + .63 18.20 .47 20 43 54 12.6 12.2 12.5 15 2 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.7 Spectrum 2-yr. 12-yr. 13-yr. New 2 8 4 7 43 43 41 44 18.86 .44 18.84 .30 18.61 .46 18.75 .41 14.5 15.4 15.6 18.1 2.7 2.7 .2.7 2.9' 2-yr. 12-yr. 13-yr. 2 8 4 43 45 45 19.02 .38 18.84 .36 19.13 .37 17.0 17.4 17.9 2.& 2.& 2.& Twelfth Year, 1930-31. New and old soils alike received 10 pounds of superphosphate and 5 pounds of blood per 100 square feet of bench. The old soils also received sulfate of potash at the rate of 2 pounds to 100 square feet. The commercial fertilizers were worked into the soil and watered in a few days before the carnations were planted on August 6. The only marked difference between yields on old and new soils was with Harvester on 13-year soil. The decrease in this instance was 1.82 flowers a plant (8.9 percent). The differences, if any, in stem lengths and flower diameters on old and on new soils were slight. (Table 6.) Thirteenth Year, 1931-32. All plots received 10 pounds of super- phosphate per 100 square feet. The carnations were planted on Aug- 12 BULLETIN No. 400 [March, ust 3. They were fed several times during the season with a solution of urea at the rate of 1 ounce to 12 gallons of water. The greatest differences in yield were with Harvester. On 2-year soil this variety showed a decrease of 2.13 flowers a plant and on 14-year soil a de- crease of 2.43 flowers a plant (13.0 and 14.9 percent) compared with new soil. With Pink Abundance the differences were smaller. With Spectrum the yields were larger on old than on new soil. Stem lengths and flower diameters averaged a little larger on new soil. (Table 7.) TABLE 7. CARNATION YIELDS ON NEW AND OLD SOILS, 1931-1933 Variety and year Soil Plot Number of plants Average number flowers a plant Average stem length Average flower diameter 1931-32 New 11 39 16.33 .49 inches 15.6 inches 2 8 Pink Abundance 2-yr. 14-yr. New 10 12 11 36 40 45 14.20 .34 13.90 .42 15.35 .33 14.5 15.6 19.9 2.7 2.7 2.8 Spectrum 2-yr. 14-yr. New 10 12 11 45 41 36 14.15 .32 15.12 .40 14.42 .49 18.5 18.4 20.0 2.8 2.8 2.9 1932-33 2-yr. 14-yr. New 10 12 3 36 31 39 16.20 .41 16.55 .55 16.69 .46 17.3 18.7 15.9 2.8 2.8 2.9 Pink Abundance 2-yr. 15-yr. New 8 5 3 35 35 44 14.05 .55 10.17 .45 14.43 .48 13.5 17.0 19.6 2.9 2.7 3.0 Spectrum 2-yr. 15-yr. New 8 5 3 44 41 40 15.98 .38 15.05 .40 16.72 .38 18.6 19.2 19.2 3.0 2.9 3.1 2-yr. IS-yr. 8 5 39 38 16.67 .45 15.84 .45 17.0 17.3 3.1 2.9 Fourteenth Year, 1932-33. All plots received 10 pounds of super- phosphate per 100 square feet and several applications of urea as for the thirteenth year. The plants were set in the benches from the field on August 5. Harvester showed significant decreases in yields on the old soils, these decreases amounting to 2.64 and 6.52 flowers (15.8 and 39.1 percent) on 2- and 15-year soils respectively. There were no ap- preciable differences with the other two varieties. The flowers from the oldest soil plot averaged slightly smaller than flowers from new soil. (Table 7.) Effects of Liming Carnation Soil Lime may act to neutralize acidity or to combat the effects of other harmful substances in the soil. In general the evidence available indi- 1934] GROWING CARNATIONS AND ROSES 13 cates that while the carnation plant is not very sensitive to differences in soil reaction, a good supply of lime in the soil may be of some use in improving stems and the yield as well. 1 ' 2 Lime, in the experiments reported in this bulletin, seemed to be of some benefit to carnations, especially on used soils (Table 8). The field soil used for filling the benches was acid, about pH 5.5. At the TABLE 8. CARNATION YIELDS ON LIMED AND UNLIMED SOILS, 1925-1928 Variety and year Soil Plots Number of plants Average number flowers a plant Average stem length Average flower diameter 1925-26 Laddie New 9a, lib, 14a, 16b 93 6.00 .13 inches 23.3 inches 3.3 White Enchantress 1926-27 Betty Lou 2-yr. 2-yr.. lime New 2-yr. 2-yr., lime New 12, 13 lOa. lla, 14b. 15b 9a, lib, 14a, 16b 12, 13 lOa. lla. 14b, 15b 9a, lOa, lib, 12a 93 96 96 93 96 64 4.87 .12 6.43 .17 9.12 .18 8.28 .18 8.06 .16 4.54 .27 23.0 24.3 20.2 20.4 21.0 16.0 3.3 3.4 3.3 3.4 3.4 2.9 Laddie New, lime New 9b, lOb, lib, 12b 9a, lOa, lla, 12a 64 64 5.00 .28 4.10 .18 16.3 21.3 2.9 3.4 Spectrum New, lime New 9b, lOb, lib, 12b 9a, lOa, lla, 12a 61 64 3.92 .17 8.30 .26 21.4 19.2 3.4 3.0 1927-28 Betty Lou New, lime New 9b, lOb, lib. 12b 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a 64 79 9.31 .23 11.00 .21 19.6 14.7 3.1 3.1 Laddie New, lime 2-yr. 2-yr., lime New Sb, 6b, 7b, 8b 9a, lOa, lla, 12a 9b. lOb, lib, 12b Sa, 6a, 7a, 8a 77 79 77 98 11.62 .23 11.78 .23 12.16 .25 6.28 .14 15.0 14.4 14.5 19.3 3.1 3.0 3.1 3.4 Spectrum New, lime 2-yr. 2-yr., lime New 5b. 6b, 7b, 8b 9a, lOa, lla, 12a 9b, lOb, lib, 12b 99 99 95 70 6.48 .12 5.80 .16 6.67 .18 13 73 32 20.0 18.5 19.2 16 8 3.5 3.4 3.4 3 New, lime 2-yr. 2-yr., lime Sb, 6b, 7b. 8b 9a, lOa, lla, 12a 9b, lOb, lib, 12b 80 80 80 14.24 + .27 13.14 .28 12.98 .22 17.4 17.3 17.8 3.1 3.1 3.1 end of a season the reaction was ordinarily about pH 6.0 without liming. The number of flowers cut during the three seasons was somewhat larger where lime was used. About 11 percent more flowers were cut from 2-year soil that was limed than from 2-year soil that was un- limed. About 4 percent more flowers were cut from new soil limed 'Wiggin, W. W., and Gourley, J. H. Studies on the reaction of greenhouse soils to the growth of plants. Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 484. 1931. 'Weinard, F. F., and Decker, S. W. The growth of several floricultural crops on limed and acidified soils. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 28, 416-417. 1932. 14 BULLETIN No. 400 [March, than from new soil unlimed. Carnations on 2-year soil limed gave about 5 percent more flowers than the plants on new soil unlimed. The average stem length in two seasons (1926-1928) from untreated new soil was 17.9 inches, and the average flower diameter was 3.1 inches. The stem length of flowers cut from new soil limed was 18.3 inches, and the flower diameter was 3.2 inches. For the seasons 1925- 26 and 1927-28 the stems of flowers cut on 2-year soil unlimed averaged 19.2 inches, and the flower diameter, 3.2 inches, compared with 19.9 inches and 3.3 inches from 2-year soil limed. First Year, 1925-26. Laddie gave significantly larger yields on used soil limed than on used soil unlimed, or on new soil. The yield of White Enchantress, however, was higher on new unlimed soil. The average stem lengths and flower diameters were slightly greater on the 2-year limed plots. (Table 8.) Second Year, 1926-27. Twenty pounds of ground limestone per 100 square feet used on certain plots produced no marked differences in yields of Betty Lou, Laddie, or Spectrum on new soil. There was a tendency for the stems to be longer on the limed plots. (Table 8.) Third Year, 1927-28. At the beginning of the season 2-year soil which had not been limed the previous year showed a reaction of pH 6.0, while the soil in plots which had received limestone was practically neutral in reaction. Ten pounds of hydrated lime per 100 square feet of bench was used on the treated plots, and differences large enough to be considered significant were obtained in two instances. Betty Lou on used soil limed gave a distinctly larger yield than on new soil unlimed. Smaller increases were observed in other cases, mostly on the limed plots. The stems were consistently a little longer w^here lime was used. (Table 8.) Other Fertilizer Materials. Various other fertilizer materials carrying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash were used on old soils in efforts to increase their productivity. Some plots were allowed to dry out, others were kept moist in summer, and partial sterilization with such substances as formaldehyde and calcium cyanide was also tried. As none of these treatments seemed to be of any benefit, no detailed results are given. Effects of Steaming Carnation Soil Steaming carnation soil gave good results with both old and new soils in experiments conducted at this Station. For these experiments a galvanized iron pan approximately 4 feet wide, 6 feet long, and 10 inches deep was used. The soil was pulverized 1934] GROWING CARNATIONS AND ROSES 15 shortly before planting time and the inverted pan pressed down over it. The steam pressure was rather low, about 5 pounds. The steam was turned on for two hours at each setting, and the soil reached a temperature of about 200 F. Fertilizers were added to the soil after steaming. The results are shown in Table 9. Taking into consideration the results from all varieties for four seasons, about 9 percent more flowers were cut, on the average, from 2-year soil that was steamed than from similar soil that was unsteamed. About 7 percent more flowers were cut from 2-year soil that was steamed than from new soil. There was an increase with new steamed soil also, amounting on the average to about 9 percent. Steamed 14- and 15-year soil gave 2.2 more flowers a plant (15.5 percent) than similar unsteamed soil. Over the four seasons the average length of stems cut from new steamed soil was 17.9 inches, compared with 17.2 inches from un- steamed new soil. The corresponding flower diameters were 2.8 inches and 2.8 inches. The average stem length from 2-year steamed soil was 17.6 inches, compared with 16.1 inches on 2-year unsteamed soil. The corresponding flower diameters were 2.8 inches and 2.8 inches. The average stem length from 14- and 15-year soil steamed was 16.7 inches compared with 17.7 inches from similar soil unsteamed. The corresponding flower diameters were 2.8 inches and 2.8 inches. The beneficial effects observed from steaming soil may have been the result of changes in the population of soil organisms or of increases in available plant nutrients. No studies were made along these lines. First Year, 1929-30. With Early Rose the cut was increased, on both old and new steamed soils, 2.18 and 2.36 flowers a plant (11.7 and 13.9 percent) respectively. Results with the other two varieties were inconsistent. Stems averaged considerably longer on 2-year steamed soil than on untreated 2-year soil. (Table 9.) Second Year, 1930-31. Distinct increases were obtained in this season with Early Rose and Spectrum from steaming both old and new soils. The increases with new steamed soil were 2.35 and 1.15 flowers a plant (10.9 and 5.8 percent) respectively. The corresponding increases with 2-year steamed soil were 4.87 and 1.79 flowers a plant (25.8 and 9.4 percent). Also, 2.19 more flowers per plant (10. 2 per- cent) were cut from Early Rose on 2-year steamed soil than from new unsteamed soil, and there was a similar but smaller difference with Spectrum. Steaming seemed to increase the length of stems on 2-year soil. (Table 9.) 16 BULLETIN No. 400 [March, TABLE 9. CARNATION YIELDS ON STEAMED AND UNSTEAMED SOILS, 1929-1933 Variety and year Soil Plots Number of plants Average number flowers a plant Average stem length Average flower diameter 1929-30 Early Rose New 5, 6, 11, 12 189 18.67 .26 inches 14.2 inches 2 6 Harvester New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam New 9, 10 16 13, 14, 15 5,6, 11, 12 91 47 144 98 20.85 .40 17.00 .54 19.36 .29 11.83 .36 14.6 13.8 14.4 15.5 2.6 2.7 2.6 2 8 Spectrum New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam New 9, 10 16 13, 14, 15 5, 6, 11, 12 41 23 71 165 13.00 .41 13.50 .87 12.86 .37 11.94 .21 16.0 15.7 17.0 18.5 2.7 2.9 2.8 3 1930-31 New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam New 9. 10 16 13, 14, 15 3, 6, 7, 11 83 43 117 140 11.65 .27 10.53 .37 12.00 .37 21.52 28 18.4 18.3 19.2 13 9 2.9 3.0 3.0 2 6 Harvester New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam New 10, 12 2 14, 15. 16 3, 6, 7, 11 69 32 103 171 23.87 + .39 18.84 .52 23.71 .28 20 84 .25 14.8 12.6 14.4 15 4 2.5 2.6 2.6 2 7 Spectrum New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam New 10, 12 2 14, 15, 16 3, 6 7 11 84 43 132 179 20.43 + .33 18.86 .44 20.24 .22 19.89 .21 15.7 14.5 15.4 18 2.7 2.7 2.7 2 8 1931-32 Harvester New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam New 10, 12 2 14, 15, 16 11 90 43 134 39 21.04 + .27 19.02 + .38 20.81 .22 16.33 .49 18.0 17.0 18.2 15.6 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 Pink Abundance .... New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam 14-yr. 14-yr., steam New 15 10 14 12 16 11 39 36 37 40 40 45 15.95 .41 14.20 + .34 15.97 + .50 13.90 .42 15.05 .35 15.35 .33 18.0 14.5 16.2 15.6 16.3 19.9 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.8 Spectrum New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam 14-yr. 14-yr., steam 15 10 14 12 16 11 45 45 44 41 45 36 15.95 .39 14.15 .32 15.18 .43 15.12 .40 15.42 .42 14.42 .49 21.0 18.5 20.5 18.4 20.2 20 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.7 2 9 1932-33 Harvester New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam 14-yr. 14-yr., steam New 15 10 14 12 16 2, 3 38 36 31 31 40 79 17.68 .42 16.20 .41 18 00 .61 16.55 .55 16.46 .53 15.78 .31 20.3 17.3 19.3 18.7 18.9 16.9 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.9 Pink Abundance .... New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam 15-yr. 15-yr., steam New 14, 15 4,8 12, 16 5 9 2, 3 76 73 79 35 29 87 18.41 .38 14.83 .34 18.16 .38 10.17 .45 16 65 .72 13.55 .40 17.4 14.5 17.4 17.0 11.8 19.3 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.3 2.9 Spectrum. New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam 15-yr. 15-yr., steam 14, 15 4,8 12, 16 5 9 2 3 90 89 89 41 35 80 17.17 .38 16.17 .26 19.29 .33 15.05 .40 17 54 .60 16 36 29 20.7 18.8 20.1 19.2 19.8 19 5 2.9 3.0 2.9 2.9 3.1 3 1 New, steam 2-yr. 2-yr., steam 15-yr. 15-yr., steam 14, 15 4,8 12, 16 5 9 80 78 80 38 30 19.11 .31 16.87 .29 19.44 .32 15.84 .45 19 10 .56 19.5 17.7 19.2 17.3 13.4 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.9 3.0 1934] GROWING CARNATIONS AND ROSES 17 Third Year, 1931-32. More flowers were cut from Spectrum on 2-year and new steamed soil than from similar unsteamed plots. The differences amounted to 3.26 and 2.70 flowers a plant (22.6 and 16.7 percent). Steamed 2-year soil gave 4.48 more flowers a plant (31.1 percent) than new unsteamed soil. Results in other cases were incon- sistent, tho more often than not they appeared to be better on steamed soil. Steaming increased the average stem length on both old and new soils. (Table 9.) Fourth Year, 1932-33. Regardless of the age of the soil, more flowers were cut from steamed than from unsteamed soil with all three varieties grown. Harvester increases on new, 2-year, and 15-year soils that were steamed were 2.63, 3.33 and 6.48 flowers a plant (16.7, 22.4, and 63.7 percent). With Pink Abundance the corresponding increases were 3.62, 3.12, and 2.49 flowers a plant (26.7, 19.3, and 16.2 percent). With Spectrum similar increases were obtained, amounting to 2.75, 2.57, and 3.26 flowers a plant (16.8, 15.2, and 20.6 percent). With all three varieties, the yields on the 2-year soil and, in most instances, on 15-year soil steamed were larger than those on new soil. The increases in the three varieties from steaming 2-year soil were 2.38, 5.74, and 3.08 flowers a plant (15.1, 42.4, and 18.8 percent). The increases from steaming 15-year soil of Pink Abundance and Spectrum were 3.99 and 2.74 flowers (29.4 and 16.7 percent). (Table 9.) Losses of Plants on New and Old Soils The losses of plants in the benches were practically all caused by stem rot (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn = Corticium vagum B. and C.) and they occurred mostly early in the season shortly after planting. New plants were reset in the same spot, and sometimes it was neces- sary to replant more than once. Flowers cut from such replants, how- ever, were not included in yield records. The percentages of plants that died from season to season varied a great deal (Table 10), depending in large part, no doubt, on weather conditions before and after planting. In one season, for example, 20 percent of the first planting of Harvester was lost. There were, how- ever, no consistent increases in the occurrence of stem rot with age of soil. Most years a few more plants were lost in the old soil plots than in the plots of new soil, but the differences were generally small. Over a period of years the loss of plants on old soils averaged a little over 4 percent, compared with about 3 percent on new soil. Over a 2-year period, 1926 to 1928, the loss where new soil was limed averaged about the same as on the unlimed plots, or about 3 18 BULLETIN No. 400 [March, TABLE 10. LOSSES OF PLANTS AND PERCENTAGES OF SPLIT FLOWERS IN THE CROPS ON NEW AND OLD SOILS, 1919-1933 Year Variety Soil Percentage of plants lost Percentage of flowers split 1919-20 No. 1 12 New 8.0 1920-21 2-yr. New 5.0 4.6 17.9 1921-22 2- to 3-yr. New 6.0 16.5 13.8 2- to 4-yr. New 2.0 9.5 8.9 1922-23 2-yr. New 3.0 6.5 12.3 2- to 5-yr. New 1.2 1 8.4 7.9 1923-24 3-yr. New 5.9 9.6 8.3 1924-25 Laddie 2- to 6-yr. New .4 1.4 6.5 5.0 White Enchantress 2- to 7-yr. New 9.2 2.1 1925-26 2- to 7-yr. New .7 6.4 1.9 2- to 8-yr. New .6 3.8 5.4 1926-27 Betty Lou 2- to 8-yr. New .6 15.6 8.9 17.6 2- to 9-yr. New 8.6 14.8 13.4 2- to 9-yr. New 5.0 7.3 9.0 1927-28 Betty Lou 2- to 9-yr. New 7.2 9.1 26.8 2-, 9-, 10-yr. New 4.2 16.6 13.3 2-, 9-, 10-yr. New 2.1 12.9 28.5 1928-29 .... 2-, 9-. 10-yr. New 1.7 2.2 10.5 .1 2-, 10-, 11-yr. New .9 4.0 .2 .2 2-. 10-, 11-yr. New .4 11.2 11.1 1929-30 Early Rose 2-, 10-, 11-yr. New 12.6 3.0 7.4 .7 2-, 11-, 12-yr. New 10.7 23.3 .4 .4 2-, 11-, 12-yr. New 22.2 5.6 .3 13.0 1930-31 2-, 11-, 12-yr. New 14.8 7.9 .4 Harvester 2-, 12-, 13-yr. New 7.6 2.2 .5 2-, 12-, 13-yr. New 5.9 2.2 .4 10.8 1931-32 Harvester Pink Abundance 2-, 12-, 13-yr. New 2-, 14-yr. New 1.5 2.5 5.0 5.8 19.1 1.4 3.5 2-, 14-yr. New 4.4 10.0 1.8 17.9 1932-33 2-, 14-yr. New 16.2 1.2 14.7 .3 Pink Abundance 2-, 15-yr. New 10.0 3.3 .9 2.2 2-. 15-yr. New 3.7 1.6 25.1 2-. 15-yr. 2.5 18.6 1934] GROWING CARNATIONS AND ROSES 19 percent. In 1925-26 and 1927-28 the loss on 2-year limed soil was about 1 percent, compared with about 4 percent on 2-year unlimed soil. Apparently liming had no effect on the loss from stem rot. Also, contrary to what might be expected, steaming the soil did not greatly reduce losses. Over a period of four years the loss on new steamed soil was about 6 percent and on new unsteamed soil about 5 percent. The loss during the same period on 2-year soil that was steamed was about the same as on similar soil unsteamed, or about 6 percent. On the 14- and 15-year steamed soil (1931-1933) about 2 percent of the plants died, compared with 9 percent on the unsteamed plots. Since a large ball of soil is brought in on each carnation plant transplanted from the field, plants and soil may carry the fungus, and it is not surprising that under these conditions steaming the bench soil does not eliminate stem rot. These observations with limed and steamed soils are in accord with results obtained by Peltier. 1 Occurrence of Split Flowers on New and Old Soils The splitting of calyxes is known to all carnation growers more or less as a variety trouble. The relative importance of various factors which may induce splitting has not been determined, but weather con- ditions and the state of nutrition of the plant 2 evidently have some influence. In the present series of experiments the percentages of split flowers in the crops ran a little higher on new soil (Table 10). About 7 percent of the flowers cut on old soils were split, compared with about 9 percent on new soil. This was possibly a result of a little slower development of plants on old soil. About 14 percent of the flowers on new limed soil were split, and about 17 percent on the unlimed plots used for comparison for the period 1926-1928 were split. On the other hand about 13 percent of the crops cut on 2-year limed soil (1925-26, 1927-28) were split, com- pared with 9 percent on 2-year unlimed soil. No definite effects could be ascribed to lime from such conflicting results. Steaming, likewise, seemed to have little or no effect on the num- ber of split flowers. Over a 4-year period about 8 percent of the crop on new soil was split, and 6 percent on similar steamed soil was split. With 2-year soils about 5 percent of the flowers on both the steamed and unsteamed plots were split. About 7 percent were split on the 14- and 15-year unsteamed plots and 6 percent on similar soil steamed. 'Peltier, G. L. Carnation stem rot and its control. 111. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 223. 1919. '50th Ann. Rept. N. J. State Agr. Exp. Sta., p. 235, 1929. 20 BULLETIN No. 400 [March, Summary and Conclusions in Carnation Experiments Carnations on old soils produced, on the average, about 11 percent fewer flowers than similar plants on new soil. There was no pro- gressive decrease in yields with increasing age of bench soils. There were no important differences in stem lengths or diameters of flowers cut on old and new soils. Liming seemed to have a beneficial effect on yield, especially with old soils. There was also evidence that it may have some effect in im- proving the quality of the crop. Steaming carnation soil was very effective in increasing the num- bers and improving the quality of flowers produced. Crops cut from old soils treated with steam were as good as or better than crops from new soil. Only a few more plants were lost, on the average, on old soils than on new soil. There was no progressive increase in the numbers of replants on used soil with an increase in age of soil. Neither liming nor steaming had any marked effect on the number of plants lost. The percentages of split flowers averaged a little lower in the crops grown on old soil. Liming or steaming seemed to have no definite effect on the production of split blooms. Some soils may deteriorate with use more than others, depending somewhat on the way they are handled. The grower must determine for himself whether the probable decrease in the value of the crop on old soil will equal or exceed the cost of changing the soil. Where old soil can be treated with steam it can be kept in a highly productive condition indefinitely. The method is a practical one for many growers who are so located that it is difficult for them to get new soil. Other possibilities, not included in the experiments described, are the use of hot water and electricity for treating used soil and the rotation of crops. II. FLOWER PRODUCTION OF ROSES ON NEW AND OLD SOILS Experiment With Premier Roses Description of Experiment. A 100-foot bench near the center of an east-and-west house was planted with Premier roses on July 18, 1924. Young grafted and own-root plants were set in alternate rows across the bench. At the end of the first season half the plants were reset in fresh soil (Fig. 2). At the end of the second season certain 1934} GROWING CARNATIONS AND ROSES 21 w. New Soil 1924-25 W. 2-yr. New 2-yr. New 2-yr. New B. 1925-26 3-yr. New 2-yr. New 3-yr. New 2-yr. New 3-yr. New 2-yr. New W. 1926-27 FIG. 2. LOCATION OF PLOTS IN OLD-SOIL EXPERIMENT WITH PREMIER ROSES of the plants were again transplanted to new soil. In this way com- parisons were possible with plants on new, 2-year, and 3-year-soils. The field soil used was a brown silt loam with which manure had been incorporated in the field in the proportions of about one part manure to four of soil. Twenty or 25 pounds of superphosphate and 5 pounds of dried blood per 100 square feet of bench were mixed into the soil each time before the plants were set. Manure mulches and liquid manure were used as required to keep the plants in active growth. Temperatures maintained during the growing season were 58 F. at night and 68 F. in the daytime, except on bright days, when the temperature rose to 73 to 78 F. At the end of the season the plants were dried off slowly and then cut back to a height of about 18 inches. Those to be transplanted were heeled in outside until the soil was changed, after which they were re- turned to the same relative positions on the bench. Superphosphate and dried blood were added to both new and old soils, as at the begin- ning of the first season. Records of flower production were kept from September 24 to June 13 in 1924-25, and from September 28 to June 15 in 1925-26. The crop shown in Table 11 was cut between October 4 and April 4 in 1926-27. On the latter date a severe hailstorm broke most of the glass in the houses. Plants were broken and an epidemic of mildew and black spot followed. Between April 4 and May 14 about 4 flowers a plant were cut from the grafted plants and about 2.5 flow- ers a plant from the own-root plants. Yields on New and Old Soils. Figures on flower production of Premier roses for three seasons are given in Table 11. In the second year several more flowers per plant were cut from the grafted plants in new soil than from similar plants in old soil, but the variation between individual plants was so great that the 22 BULLETIN No. 400 [March, TABLE 11. FLOWER PRODUCTION OF PREMIER ROSES ON NEW AND OLD SOILS Grafted plants Own-root plants Soil Number of plants Average number flowers per plant Average stem length Number of plants Average number flowers per plant Average stem length 1924-25 New 160 29.28 .53 inches 11.8 159 27.54 .40 inches 12.3 1925-26 New 76 35.03 .78 11.6 84 26.31 .37 11.3 2-yr 84 31.70 .86 11.2 75 26.64 .49 11.3 1926-27 New 80 17.73 .43 11.3 76 12.94 .35 11.1 2-yr 36 17.55 .55 10.2 44 13.52 .47 10.6 3-yr 44 17.70 .65 10 7 39 13 30 47 10 6 difference was not large enough to be considered significant. There was no difference between the cuts from own-root plants on new and old soils. In the third year there were no differences between the yields of either grafted or own-root plants on 3-year and 2-year soils and the yield on new soil. Likewise there were practically no differences in stem lengths of flowers cut from grafted and own-root plants on new and old soils. With the possible exception of the first season, the grafted plants gave significantly higher yields than the own-root plants. Over the 3-year period the yield from the own-root plants averaged lower than from the grafted plants by about 4 flowers per plant, or 14 percent. Experiments With Ophelia, Golden Ophelia, and Silver Columbia Roses Description of Experiments. The experiment with Ophelia roses was carried on at the same time and in a similar manner to that described for Premier. The plots were located on the south bench in the same house according to the layout shown in Fig. 3. With Golden Ophelia and Silver Columbia the method was varied slightly. Young grafted plants in new soil were compared with similar plants newly planted in old rose soil. After the old plants were taken out, the soil was run thru a pulverizer and replaced in the bench over a layer of strawy manure. Fertilizers were added to new and old soils as previously described. The following season the plants which had been in old soil were transplanted to new soil (Fig. 3). The results with the three varieties are given in Table 12. GROWING CARNATIONS AND ROSES 23 w. New Soil W. Ophelia 1924-25 W. New 2-yr. New 2-yr. New 2-yr. New 2-yr. New 2-yr. Silver Columbia Ophelia 1925-26 Golden Ophelia 2-yr. New 2-yr. 3-yr. New 3-yr. 2-yr. New 2-yr. New E. Silver Columbia Ophelia 1926-27 Golden Ophelia FIG. 3. LOCATION OF PLOTS IN EXPERIMENT WITH OPHELIA, GOLDEN OPHELIA, AND SILVER COLUMBIA ROSES Yields on New and Old Soils. Two-year Ophelia plants which were transplanted into new soil in 1925-26 produced 2.9 flowers (10 percent) more a plant than similar plants which were grown in 2-year soil. In the third season there were no significant differences in yields on new, 2-year, and 3-year soils. Stem lengths were practically uni- form on the different plots. TABLE 12. FLOWER PRODUCTION OF OPHELIA, GOLDEN OPHELIA, AND SILVER COLUMBIA ROSES ON NEW AND OLD SOILS Variety and year Soil Number of plants Average number flowers per plant Average stem length 1924-25 New 200 28.79 .49 inches 14.9 1925-26 Ophelia New 100 28.55 .52 14.5 Golden Ophelia 2-yr. New 100 28 25.65 .60 27.53 1.19 15.2 13.5 Silver Columbia 2-yr. New 28 24 21.93 .92 21.58 .72 11.5 14.7 1926-27 Ophelia 2-yr. New 24 64 14.54 .76 14.78 .43 12.2 14.6 Golden Ophelia 2-yr. 3-yr. New 68 70 28 14.14 .43 15.47 .42 15.46 .69 13.8 14.1 13.5 Silver Columbia 2-yr. New 27 24 14.81 .49 12.37 .45 13.8 12.8 2-yr. 24 12.45 .50 13.9 31 BniETDf No. -400 Young plants of Golden Ophelia and Silver Columbia on old soil in 1925-26 gave 5.6 flowers (20 percent) and 7.0 flowers (32 percent) a plant less than on new soil. The stems averaged about 2 inches longer on new soiL In the following season there were no significant differences in yields or stem lengths. Summary and Conclusions in Rose Experiments Young rose plants planted in old soils gave yields that were ma- terially lower than those grown in new soil. When, however, 2- or 3- year plants were transplanted into new soil there was little or no dif- ference between their yields and the yields of plants of the same age that had been left undisturbed in old soil Apparently the advantage to be gained from the use of new soil was counterbalanced by the check given the plants in uprooting and transplanting them. Altho rt is a common practice to allow rose plants to remain un- disturbed in the bench for three or more years, some growers have advocated and practiced transplanting. Under the conditions of these experiments the changing of rose soil annually was not economical. Xo noticeable differences were found in the quality of flowers pro- duced on new and on old soils- Increases in yield, if any, which might be obtained with new soil are not likely to compensate for the trouble and expense of changing the soiL UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA