114 PICTORIAL PRACTICAL CARNATION GROWING. 
A compost of loam, with a quarter of dried manure rubbed through 
a sieve, and about a tenth of sand, will be suitable. Leaf mould 
may be substituted for the manure if convenient, or used in addition 
to it. If no manure is used 1 pint of superphosphate cr bone flour 
may be used to the bushel. A sprink!ing of charcoal is also advan- 
tageous. 
Quick establishment is ensured if the pots are plunged in a propa- 
gating pit, but in a house with a top heat of 55° to 65° they 
root steadily and surely on a shelf. If put into a propagating case, 
care must be taken to remove them directly they are well rooted, and 
to harden them in a cooler temperature, say, 45° to 55°. On the 
whole, the shelf, if slower, is safer, as it keeps the plants sturdy. 
In about three months, probably, from the time of inserting the 
cuttings, the young plants will be ready for a bigger pot. The exact 
time may depend upon the state of the roots; when they begin to 
twist round the sides of the small pots in which they were first put 
singly the time has come togive thema shift. Anaverage plant from 
a thumb pot may go into a 4-inch, an extra large plant into a 5-inch. 
A similar soil to that formerly used will do. There is not likely to 
be any cause for pulling the ball to pieces ; merely trim it, and pick 
away the drainage from the base. Pot firmly, and place the plants 
at once into a cold frame, standing them on cinders. They may be 
kept close for a few days, but afterwards abundance of air must be 
given. Keep them on the dry side justafter potting ; when they get 
into active growth they will need plenty of water, and must be 
examined daily to see that they do not suffer from drought. When 
they have fairly started into growth, and are about 5 inches high, 
pick out the growing point ; side shoots will then push. 
In about another two months, should all go well with the plants, 
they will be ready for a shift into the flowering pots, which may- 
be 6- or 7-inch according to the strength of the plants. As the 
summer will now be here, or at hand, the plants will hardly 
need glass, although they are none the worse for a few days in a 
frame after being potted. Subsequently (or immediately if more 
TREE OR PERPETUAL SECTION. FIG, 55 (NEXT PAGE).— SHIFTING 
INTO THE FLOWERING POTS. 
O, a plant ofa compact growing variety shifted from a 3}-inch into a 6-inch 
pot: j, crock; %, drainage; /, thin layer of moss; m, the rougher parts 
of the compost; 7, the ball; 0, soil well pressed under and round ball ; 
p, space for water; ¢, point of stopping the main stem; 7, side growths 
or grass, 
P, a plant of moderately vigorous habit shifted from a 4-inch into a 7-inch 
pot; references the sameas in O. 
Q, a plant of vigorous growth transferred from a 5-inch into an 8-inch pot ; 
references the same as in O. 
R, aside shoot showing the second stopping when the growth is early and 
strong: s, point of taking out the point of the shoot. 
