18 Select Carnations, Picotees, and Pinks. 
conditions of temperature till the seedlings have 
taken to the fresh soil, after which they should get 
a gradually increasing amount of ventilation to 
harden them. In three or four weeks time, accord- 
ing to progress, they should be transferred to cold 
frames with a greater or less amount of air accord- 
ing to the weather, to keep them growing steadily 
under genial conditions. Towards the end of May 
the seedlings will have made appreciable progress 
and should be hardened off by giving increased 
ventilation, and finely full exposure to make them fit 
for transferring to their permanent or flowering 
positions in the open garden. 
Soil and Situation. 
Carnations will grow in any good garden soil, 
provided it is trenched and well pulverised to a 
depth of 1$-2ft., and enriched with plenty of well 
decayed cow manure. The latter should be put 
well down when trenching to prevent it from coming 
in direct contact with the roots of the young plants. 
This operation should be accomplished in autumn, 
and if the soil is very heavy it may be laid up 
roughly or even in ridges to expose it to the action 
of frost. About the end of May the soil may be 
levelled down and well broken up with the fork, then 
raked and marked off for planting. For a week at 
least before planting, the seedlings should be well 
hardened off in cold frames, finally leaving the 
sashes off day and night. 
When selecting a piece of land or a bed for Carna- 
tions, choose an open situation, not overhung nor 
shaded in any way by trees, shrubs, or buildings. 
They love the sunshine which warms the ground and 
in every way 1s favourable to their wellbeing. Even 
layers root better when the soil is bare and not 
covered with a top dressing or mulching of any kind, 
other than soil. Should the natural staple be heavy 
a top-dressing of some good rich soil with plenty of 
sand in it should be placed along the lines before 
commencing to plant. Old potting bench soil, such 
as that which has been used for Chrysanthemums 
the previous year will answer admirably if a good 
proportion of sand and some leaf mould is well 
mixed with it. 
Mark off the ground in lines 12—15in. apart each 
way, according to the area which can be spared. 
The greater width may seem too much, but it must 
