Propagation by Seed. 17 
waits the full development of the stigmas. If the first 
operation is unsuccessful it may be repeated next 
day. After the flowers are fairly withered the gauze 
may be removed as foreign pollen will now be 
entirely without effect. The removal of the 
withered petals and the slitting of the calyx are 
even more important in the open air than under 
glass, particularly in wet seasons. Carnation seed 
takes a long time to ripen in the open. 
Raising the Seedlings. 
About the middle of March is the best time to sow 
the seed and not more than three weeks later if 
possible. At that period the advantage of artificial 
heat will be great, as it insures quick germination 
less liability of damping among the seedlings if the 
spring should prove damp and cold. Those who 
have the convenience of a stove or propagating pit, 
can stand the seed pots or pans on the surface of 
the bed or partly plunge the same, and the seedlings 
will come up all the sooner. In the absence of such 
convenience a hotbed should be made up as for 
Melons, Cucumbers, or Potatos, standing a frame on 
the top of it. Cover the manure with 4—6in. of soil 
in which the seed pans may be sunk more or less. 
If not wholly occupied with Carnations, the frame 
may be filled up with seeds of half-hardy annuals or 
other seeds requiring heat. 
Carefully crock some pots or seed’ pans, putting 
some moss or lumpy material over the crocks. They 
may then be faled- up with any light, sandy soil 
with a third of leaf mould; both should be sifted 
before mixing them. If in any way heavy a good 
proportion of sand should be added to the compost, 
mixing it thoroughly. Press it down rather firmly, 
filling the pans within in. of the rim. Sow the 
seeds rather thinly, avoiding overcrowding and 
cover with a thin layer of the finer particles of the 
same material. If the soil is fairly moist no water- 
ing will be required in the moist atmosphere of a 
hotbed. 
As soon as the cotyledons or seed leaves are fully 
developed the seedlings may be transplanted, 2in. 
apart each way, into boxes of rather more sub- 
stantial soil. By transplanting thus early the seed- 
lings will be less liable to damp off than if they were 
allowed to remain a week or two longer in the seed 
pans. The boxes should be kept under the same 
