80 PICTORIAL PRACTICAL CARNATION GROWING. 
tie is fastened to stem and stake, or indeed to either. It should 
form a loop, which will rise with the stem, and at the same time 
prevent it breaking over. 
The necessity for free extension has led to the introduction of 
clips so made as to clasp both shoot and stake. A good one is 
sold by Mr. R. Sydenham, Tenby Street, Birmingham, under the 
name of Unique. It costs 9d. per 100. It can be used with a 
Bamboo stake, if this is preferred to the deal stick. It may be 
added that Mr. Sydenham also sells a cheap and useful. layering 
pin. Undoubtedly Bamboo stakes are excellent. They are cheap, 
neat. and lasting. 
Wire coil stakes are coming more and more into use. They 
are practically everlasting, and no ties are needed, except for the 
buds near the top, as_ the stem is worked into the coils of the 
wire and through the loop at-the top of the stake. 
All three of these methods of tying are shown on p. 83. Of 
course, it is not suggested that they should be practised on the 
same pot of plants, as there shown—the object is to save the 
necessity for several illustrations, and bring all the various modes 
at once under the reader’s eye. 
Staking and tying should always be done betimes. Much harm 
accrues if the stems swing loose and bend over. 
Pod Bursting and its Prevention. 
Enough has already been said in respect to pod bursting to show 
that the sympathies ‘of the writer are with those who aim at raising 
and selecting non-bursters. But the time has not yet come when all 
can entirely “dispense with artificial aids.) There are many beautiful 
varieties which, when grown to a good size, are liable to split. The 
results of this contretemps are disastrous. The mass of petals causes 
a bulge ; the flower becomes lopsided, and its symmetry is gone. 
An examination of Fig. 38, p. 85, will teach the construction of a 
Carnation flower. It will be seen that the calyx tube, or pod, has a 
support in the form of basal bracts ; but the burst does not come at the 
base, it comes near the top of the tube, just below the point where the 
latter becomes segmented. What are wanted are greater toughness 
and elasticity at this point ; they exist in some varieties, which | rarely 
“burst,” but by no means in all. It is at this point that the 
supp ort must be piaced. Indiarubber rings are generally used. 
They must be of a size to fit the tube w ithout severely compressing 
it. Directly a crack occurs, causing the petals to lean to one side, 
ease the other lobes with a series of slits, and place a ring in position ; 
the flower will then expand evenly all round, and a symmetrical 
bloom will be secured. But many growers anticipate the trouble 
by putting a band in position before a slit shows itself. 
Shading and Protecting the Blooms. 
When the flowering period approaches the expectant grower 
sees the crown of his labours at hand, and it behoves him to see 
