CULTURE IN THE GARDEN. 61 
paths or alleys between. In smaller gardens perhaps a couple of 
circular beds in turf can be provided. The writer secured a much 
admired effect by throwing up a mound on the farther slope of a 
small dell, and edging it with stone. Eighteen inches of soil on a 
base of old stumps and rubbish comprised the rooting medium. 
Here the plants throve splendidly. 
The light, graceful habit of growth which the Carnation possesses 
should be considered. It is a pity to huddle the plants up in a mass 
close under the eye like a bed of Geraniums. Distant effect should 
be considered. 
The position chosen should be open and well drained. The 
Carnation does not like either stagnant air or stagnant moisture at 
the roots. Shade must be avoided, and tree drip regarded as fatal. 
The plants will thrive on heavy ground if it is well drained, but not 
on clay inadamp bottom. On the other hand, although they like a 
light, loamy soil, they will not make good grass in a shallow. im- 
‘poverished medium. 
Soil that has only been lightly cultivated should be deepened by 
thorough digging. Bastard trenching is still more advantageous. 
This is effected by marking out the bed, throwing out the soil toa 
good spade depth in a 2 or 3 feet wide strip across the plot, and 
wheeling it to the other end for filling in, then laying on a coat of 
manure, breaking up the subsoil thoroughly, and filling up the strip 
with top soil from the next, so proceeding through the bed. This 
deepens the rooting area, raises the level, renders the soil friable, and - 
facilitates the passing away of surface water. If the top soil is poor 
it may be enriched with a coating of manure, provided it is well 
decayed. Rank wet manure straight from a yard is not so safe. 
This preliminary deepening should be done a few weeks before 
planting if possible ; the surface will crumble readily, and may be 
raked over for planting. In the case of seedlings} the alleys between 
the beds may be 18 inches wide, and the spaces for the plants marked 
1 foot apart, but for choice plants it is well to have the alleys wider, 
to facilitate the inspection by visitors, allowing the plants 
16 inches of space. This will give plenty of room for development, 
and if they are “angled,” z.e. each three plants in neighbouring rows 
forming a triangle, there will be plenty of room for layering. 
In very stiff, cold soils it is wise to raise and lighten the bed by 
the addition of old mortar rubbish and road scrapings, after laying 
drain pipes in openings made at the sides of the bed. These openings, 
filled with rubble and surfaced with cinders or gravel, will make 
excellent alleys. 
Where borders instead of beds are to be planted, the soil pre- 
paration may be the same. It is no use looking for the best results 
unless the soil preparation is thorough. 
Assuming that the grower has decided not to pot his rooted 
layers, he may plant direct into the beds early in October. It is 
wise, however, in any case, to pot a few to save for a reserve; 
they may come in useful for filling up gaps. With the soil 
