116 PICTORIAL PRACTICAL CARNATION GROWING. 
convenient) they may be provided with an open position out of doors, 
but with a little shelter from the colder quarters if it can be pro- 
vided without robbing the plants of sunshine. The pots may be 
partially plunged in ashes. 
When the plants are in growth again they may have their second 
topping, and this should be the last, unless the plants have been 
pushed by early hot weather or are naturally late bloomers, in 
which case another stopping may be given. Speaking generally, 
stopping after June is not advisable. 
The stopping will ensure a bushy plant, and a point free from 
thick, clustering grass, which, without the stopping, would prevent 
the formation of a strong flower stem. A little finger and thumb 
work will be required subsequently on the side shoots which are 
secured by the stopping. One or two side shoots may be allowed at 
the base, but those higher up, especially near the tips, must be 
removed. A vigorous flower stem will then push. 
Staking may be done with one central Bamboo stick 2 to 3 feet 
long. To this the main stem may be secured, and the side shoots 
looped up to it with Raffiatape. 
A typical plant, struck in January, stopped once, shifted by 
stages into a 7-inch pot, the grass thinned, and the flower buds 
reduced to three on a stem, is shown on p. 120. This handsome 
yearling plant may be grown on into a fine specimen for flowering a 
second season, if desired. The old flower stems and leaves should be 
removed, together with any weak grass, in spring. Then the ball 
should be reduced, removing the drainage clinging to the base, also 
all sour or exhausted soil, and finishing by crumbling down the 
shoulders. The plant is now ready for the larger pot. Assuming 
that the first flowering pot was a 7-inch, the shift may be into a 9- 
inch. Drain well in accordance with the rules previously laid down, 
and pot firmly. In staking, place one strong Bamboo in the centre, 
and others round the sides to the number of the shoots which the 
TREE OR PERPETUAL SECTION. FIG. 56 (NEXT PAGE).—STAKING 
AND DISBUDDING. 
S, a plantin an 8-inch pot supported by one stake, twice stopped, disbudded, 
and with the shoots looped up to the stake: ¢, stake ; w, point of first stop- 
ping the main stem at about 5 inches high; rv, side shoots which were 
stopped after having made about 5 inches of growth, w, and the succeed- 
ing grass disbudded to two shoots on a branch, «, the shoots being looped 
up to the stake, as shown, with strong green thread. 
T, an unstopped shoot not disbudded: y, grass which has pushed from the 
joints and is taking food from the upper part of the shoot ; z, tufted 
extremity, which is usually indicative of a flower stem pushing from the 
growing point of the branch, the result being much crowding of grass 
and indifferent flower stems. 
U, a side shoot disbudded: a, well placed grass reserved for furnishing the 
plant ; 4, the point of the shoot free from clustering grass and thus 
induced to push a strong flowering stem. 
