6o CARNATIONS AND PINKS 



buds — their vigour, healthiness, and regularity in 

 form. A full flower may be anticipated where the 

 young buds have a broad obtuse top ; whilst a variety 

 which produces a thin flower has a sharp and long- 

 pointed bud." It is usual as the buds swell to tie 

 a piece of soft bast or raffia round them. Watch 

 carefully for green-fly, as many a fine bloom has 

 been spoilt by these insects getting under the points 

 of the calyx. Water liberally as required, and be 

 careful the plants do not suffer from drought. The 

 earwig is also apt to be troublesome. 



August 



Sometimes, when a dry spring and summer occurs, 

 the growth is ripe for layering in July, but August is the 

 month in which the bulk of the work is usually done. 

 As the plants go out of bloom those in pots should 

 be placed in the open air, so that the shoots may 

 become hardened ready for layering. Layering is an 

 important work, and the earlier it can be done in 

 August the better. When layered, the layers should 

 have full exposure, care being taken that the soil in 

 the pots be kept sufficiently moist to ensure the 

 putting forth of roots ; keep the surface clear of 

 w^eeds, and w^atch for any attacks by insects. Earwigs 

 are likely to be harmful. 



September 



Soil for potting off the layers should be prepared — 

 a good sandy loam, with the addition of a sixth part 



