114 THE FORCING GARDEN. 
fill a dozen or two of the pans with a compost of one 
part maiden loam sifted fine through a quarter or three- 
eighths of an inch mesh sieve, two parts fine-sifted leaf- 
mould, and one part silver sand, well mixed together. 
First, place a few crocks over the holes in the bottom 
of the pans, then a little of the siftings over them, and 
finally fill up to the rims, making it quite firm; then 
prepare the pipings in the usual way by cutting the 
base of the third or fourth joint at right angles im- 
mediately below the joint, but not into it, so as to leave 
one-sixteenth of an inch below it. Cut with a razor- 
edged small knife—a penknife will do very well. As 
soon as enough are made to fill one pan, insert the 
pipings with a small pointed stick not larger than a 
lead pencil, at one inch apart all over the pans; and 
give a thorough soaking with water through a fine rose. 
Then place the pans, as they are filled, on a mild bottom 
heat, over a tank or heated pit, and keep the house or 
pit close till the pipings are struck, which will be with- 
in three weeks with the Pinks, and a month with the 
Carnations. 
As soon as they are well struck give them air, or 
place the pans containing the plants in a cooler house 
or pit, to harden off a little, say for a week. Then 
prick them off into other pans or boxes, about two inches 
apart, water, and return them to the house or a warm 
pit with a good light. As the plants get strength and 
begin to grow, nip out the central point ; this will in- 
duce a bushy growth. It will now be about the end of 
March or beginning of April: so admit an abundance 
of air daily, and by the beginning of May the plants will 
all be in good order for planting out. Now choose a 
nice mellow spot of ground in an open sunny place ; 
