CARNATIONS IN TOWN GARDENS 65 



remains there for days or perhaps weeks, owing to the 

 absence of the sun. It is not frost that kills them, but 

 damp. 



Choose March for planting, and a dry day for doing 

 so. It is unwise to plant when the soil is wet, for it is 

 impossible under these conditions to work the soil well 

 among the roots, and this is essential. Put the plants 

 in the ground sufficiently deep to prevent their sway- 

 ing about from the base or " collar " as it is called, as 

 when planted too shallow they never take a firm hold 

 of the soil, and in consequence the growth is unsatis- 

 factory. If the base is buried too deep the roots are 

 too far beneath the surface, and air cannot reach 

 them. It is not necessary to cover any of the leaves, 

 except the basal ones, which may be partially hidden 

 with soil. Make the soil fairly firm about the roots, 

 either with the hand or with the trowel used in plant- 

 ing. Carnations root most satisfactorily in moderately 

 firm soil. The soil need not be rich, as when too full 

 of manure the growth is sappy and the flowers few, but 

 if the growth is firm the plants may be kept for another 

 season, when the display will not be much inferior to 

 that of the first year. It is advisable to propagate 

 every year, as an exceptionally wet winter might kill 

 nearly all the old plants, or so cripple them that few 

 flowers would result. 



Summer Treatment 



Weeding is the first duty to attend to. Where 

 everything is favourable to plant growth, that is, in 

 good soil in country gardens, Carnations are less 



