68 FLORA HISTORICA. 



no means higher in the centre than the sides, be- 

 cause the plants would thereby be kept too dry ; 

 nor should the compost come nearer than within an 

 inch of the top or rim of the pot, after it has been 

 gently shaken, or struck against the ground on 

 finishing, as an inconvenience will attend its being 

 too full^ when the operation of laying comes to be 

 performed, which requires some additional mould 

 on the surface, for the layers to strike into.'* 



When the plants are thus potted off for bloom, 

 the pots should be placed in an open airy part of 

 the garden, under a frame of small iron rods or 

 hoops, that they may be covered with mats in case 

 of frosty nights or heavy rains, but at all other 

 times they should be kept open to the air, and fre- 

 quently watered with soft water from a fine-rosed 

 watering-pot, giving them more frequent waterings 

 just as they begin to flower, paying at the same time 

 attention to the flower-stems as they advance, 

 which must be supported with small sticks, to pre- 

 vent their being broken by the Mind. 



The pots of Carnations should not be housed too 

 early, as the first frosts of the autumn are not so 

 dangerous to them as those of the spring, after they 

 have become tender by housing ; and during the 

 winter the waterings should be very moderate. 

 Those who have spare frames may protect them as 

 recommended for the Auriculas. 



