70 CARNATIONS AND PINKS 



when planted and the plants fully grown the tubs 

 are furnished all round. The plants are put in 

 during March, and must be carefully planted, especi- 

 ally those in the holes around the sides. Make them 

 firm, and see that proper drainage is provided so as 

 to allow superfluous moisture to pass away. This 

 may be secured by placing two or three drain-pipes 

 on top of each other so as to form a channel in the 

 centre of the tub, and making holes in them here 

 and there for the water to run through. Much water- 

 ing will be necessary during the summer, for one tub 

 will need a good many plants to furnish it well, and 

 they must have a good supply of water, mixing guano 

 with it when the buds begin to show. It is not wise 

 to keep the plants in the tubs for more than one 

 season. By the following year they would be untidy, 

 and the soil also would want renewing. The tubs or 

 boxes should not be stood upon the ground, but on 

 two or three bricks placed underneath so as to raise 

 them. 



It is surprising that Carnations are not more gene- 

 rally grown in window boxes ; they bloom a long 

 time, and are delightful flowers to have in front of 

 the window. "In Switzerland," says Canon Ella- 

 combe, "they are grown (especially the Crimson 

 Clove) in the window boxes of the chalets, and are 

 allowed to hang down, and so grown they are very 

 beautiful." 



Carnations do not mix very well ; they always look 

 best when alone, rather than amongst other flowers, 

 therefore it is well to have one window box filled with 



