THE PICOTEE 37 



day ; better not to touch it when the surface is wet, and 

 select the first fine weather when the soil is fairly dry 

 to plant. An open position is best. High winds 

 inflict less damage than they do most things ; and as 

 soon as dry weather begins in May mulch the surface 

 of the beds with well-decayed manure. This prevents 

 evaporation, and if the weather is dry during June 

 and July give a good watering once a week in heavy 

 soil, and twice if it is sandy. 



It must, however, be admitted that the finest Carna- 

 tion flowers are from plants in pots and placed under 

 a glass shelter of some kind. A greenhouse is gene- 

 rally available for this purpose. What are green- 

 houses usually filled with in July ? The answer is, 

 Scarlet Geraniums, Fuchsias, and other soft-wooded 

 plants, whereas most of these flowers are a greater 

 success out-doors. Surely a houseful of Carnations 

 is preferable to such common and easily grown 

 plants. It is a matter for the individual to decide. 

 We prefer Carnations. 



The autumn treatment of the Picotee is exactly the 

 same as if they were intended to be planted out. In 

 INIarch they may be re-potted, and it is easy to overdo 

 this. About twenty-five years ago IMr. Douglas 

 writes : " I began using pots 7I inches to 84 inches 

 in diameter, and left off the use of lo-inch and ii-inch, 

 and so successful was I that I beat the late Mr. 

 Charles Turner and the late Mr. Dodwell in com- 

 petition. (Alas ! we have to use this term in reference 

 to many of the exhibitors of those days. The late 

 Mr. Norman, of Woolwich, grew the white ground 



