282 THE FLORIST. 



CULTIVATION OF THE CARNATION AND PICOTEE. 



BY C. TURNER. 

 [Continued from p. 259.] 



Nov. 1st. — The plants having been taken from the parent stock 

 a month since, as recommended in the last Number of The Florist, 

 are established in small pots, and never have we had finer or more 

 healthy ones. The lights are drawn back at all times the weather 

 will permit, and as much air as possible is given during the night, 

 by tilting the lights, both back and front. The plants should often 

 be gone over with a pair of scissors, to cut away all dead foliage, 

 and at the same time to examine the plants ; if green-fly should be 

 found in the hearts of them, brush them out before they get a-head. 

 This plan may be a little more labour than fumigating, but we prefer 

 it for this reason, that, to do any good, and to destroy the insects 

 effectually, the tobacco must be very strong, so strong that it dis- 

 colours the foliage, by giving it a yellow appearance for a long time, 

 when perhaps two-thirds of the plants were not infested with the 

 insects. Early in December, we plunge the pots to the rim in saw- 

 dust or coal-ashes, — we prefer a mixture of both, as it will not adhere 

 to the side of the pots, as sawdust alone would, and the latter is a 

 much cleaner material than ashes alone ; this keeps the pots from 

 drying too suddenly, and protects the roots from severe frost. By 

 giving all the air possible, as before mentioned, and keeping the 

 plants perfectly clean, they may be considered at rest until the " 1st 

 of March," with the exception of the watering-pot being sparingly 

 used on a mild morning. By this time (March) most growers will 

 be aware of the extent of their losses and wants ; and those that are 

 most expeditious in filling up any vacancies caused by winter will be 

 the best off, as it is a very different matter procuring choice kinds 

 in the spring to what it is in the autumn. Man}' - kinds cannot be 

 obtained at that time, and all will be much enhanced in value. 



It would appear from the above that it is a difficult matter to 

 winter Carnations and Picotees, as so many are lost during that 

 season. This is not the case : we are often surprised to hear of fine 

 plants almost suddenly becoming covered with spot and mildew, but 

 when we have gone to see them we have not been surprised at all; 

 we find them about two feet from the glass, in a very wet state, with 

 scarcely any air given to them, or care taken in any way. Allow 

 the plants to receive a little gentle rain at the present time, provided 

 it is mild, with a chance of their drying before frost returns. In 

 March, constant attention in watering will be necessary. There will 

 be very drying winds ; and as the pots will be getting full of roots, 

 much injury would arise by neglecting this essential part. During 

 this month most of the potting into large pots for bloom should be 

 done ; and those will be best off that have attended well to their 

 compost, by turning it often in frosty weather, and keeping it dry 



