412 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



General Culture out of Doors. — That the Carnation may grow luxu- 

 riantly it must have an aspect sheltered from cold winds, free exposure 

 to sunlight, a rich and perfectly-drained bed, that has been previously 

 enriched with well-rotted cow-manure, and the soil trenched at least 

 15 inches deep. The bed should contain a good percentage of rich fresh 

 loam taken from old pasture, which has been rotted in a heap, and fre- 

 quently turned before being mixed with the bed. The ground should 

 be trenched in the autumn, and allowed to lie rough until early the 

 following March, when it ought to be forked and levelled down, and 

 the plants put in in rows, 1 foot apart in the rows, and 1-1 inches 

 between rows. Should severe frost set in after planting, the plants 

 must be protected by means of hoops extended across the bed, and a 

 covering of mats securely put over them. When the flower-stems have 

 advanced in growth a bit, have them all secured to neatly-dressed stakes, 

 tying them at intervals, as they require, to prevent the wind breaking 

 them ; and should the weather prove dry and hot, an occasional water- 

 ing of weak liquid manure will aid in improving the quality of the 

 flowers. Stir the surface now and then, and keep the ground free of 

 ■weeds. 



As the blossoms approach opening, it will be found that a number 

 of the more double kinds show a tendency to rend their calyx by being 

 too severely distended. To obviate this it is necessary to tie a thread 

 of matting securely around the calyx, which w^ill be quite hid when 

 the flower expands, and the character of the flower preserved. 



Proiyigation by Pipiwjs. — The general fault and reason for failure 

 by this mode is the season being too far advanced before the pipings 

 are put in ; and it will be found that propagating by this mode can be 

 turned into a success if the pipings are put into gentle heat at the 

 time when the plant shows a disposition to grow, instead of waiting 

 until the usual time for layering. In preparing the pipings they ought 

 to have the lower leaves cleanly cut away close to the stem, and the 

 shoot cut across below the second or third joint ; and without allowing 

 them to flag in any degree, have them inserted into a rather firmly 

 prepared bed of sand and leaf -mould, with a thin covering of sand over 

 the surface. A gentle bottom-heat is essential, and the bed previously 

 watered, but the superfluous water drained off. The house or frame 

 must be kept both close and shaded, and moderately moist, until the 

 pipings are rooted, which will, in all probability, be in three weeks or 

 a month. 



By Seed. — Sow the seed in October in well-drained pans, in light 

 porous soil, and place in greenhouse temperature over winter; put the 

 seedlings into small pots when they have reached a size making them 

 capable of being handled j repot, if necessary, in the spring, and plant 



