22 CARNATIONS AND PINKS 



with leaf-mould and road scrapings, or a preparation 

 similar to that used when layering, only with more 

 sand added. Trim off the lower leaves from the shoots, 

 and cut the stem off through a joint. Split the stem 

 slightly, and insert it 2 inches deep in the soil, which 

 should be pressed firmly round the cutting (a position 

 should be chosen where they will not be exposed too 

 much to the sun), and keep them well watered in dry 

 weather. 



Work in Summer Time 



The work to be accomplished during the summer 

 months is not heavy. Keep the soil between the 

 plants free from weeds with a hoe, and if the ground 

 is poor give a top-dressing of old well-decayed manure 

 (I do not recommend a top-dressing of manure in 

 autumn, as it harbours slugs). Water the plants in 

 dry weather, and remember when doing this that a 

 little water sprinkled on the surface is useless. Always 

 give a good soaking, so that the water can reach 

 the roots, and damp the leaves as well as the soil, as 

 this helps to suppress green-fiy. 



Staking the Plants 



Now will come the staking of the plants, or rather 

 the flower-stems, as they grow too tall to support 

 their own weight, and for this purpose the best things 

 I have seen are coil stakes made of strong galvanised 

 wire in spiral form of varying lengths, painted pale 

 green, i.e. the same tint as the foliage of the plants. 



