THE BORDER CARNATION 23 



To these the stems are easily adjusted, and no tying 

 is necessary. Simply insert the stake in the ground 

 close to the plant, give the flower-stem a turn round 

 it, and as the stem grows higher it is quite easy to 

 give it another turn or two until it reaches the top. 

 There is only one thing to be careful about in using 

 them, i.e. do not stake your plants too soon, or you 

 will find the soft stem will be liable to get bent at the 

 joints if any of the side shoots become fixed in the 

 spiral twists of the stake during their growth. This 

 will not happen often when you get accustomed to 

 them, and I must say for neatness, or rather in- 

 visibility, there is nothing to equal them. Next will 

 come the 



Disbudding, 



and it is quite a matter of taste whether a quantity of 

 rather small blooms or fewer larger ones are desired. 

 I think when a plant has a great number of buds on 

 each stem it is better to thin out, say, half of them. 

 This should be done when they are quite small. 

 Where there are two or more buds close together, 

 pinch, or rather twist, or break off the smaller ones, 

 an amusement I find ladies are rather fond of. The 

 flowering season will now be fast approaching, and 

 the keenest interest is taken in the blooms as they 

 begin to show colour and gradually open, especially 

 where there is a bed or two of seedlings. Among the 

 latter especially several will be noticed with buds of 

 varying shapes and sizes, some very thin and long. 

 These will be single flowers. Others, again, will be 



