Border Carnations. 
Gn 
WN 
of that month. The plants will then have time to 
become established in their fresh quarters, while the 
ground is yet sufficiently warm and before the 
advent of winter. Pull out the pegs before lifting 
to avoid breaking the roots from the layers. 
Should the soil be heavy and hable to be wet in 
winter, the satest plan is to pot the layers in 231n. 
and 34in. pots, and winter them in cold frames 
where they can be protected from rain, snow, and, in 
a measure, from the severities of our uncertain 
climate in winter. It must not be supposed that 
Carnations are unable to withstand all the frost we 
are likely to get in this country, provided they are 
fairly dry at the roots and not subjected to sudden 
fluctuations of temperature and excessive wet at the 
roots in a fertile soil. While in frames, the layers 
should be ventilated night and day except during 
hard frost to keep them healthy and sturdy. During 
rainy weather the sashes should merely be tilted at 
the back, but at other times one sash may be 
drawn up and another pushed down alternately to 
induce a circulation of aur. 
Planting in October secures the best results the 
following summer if the soil and climate are suitable, 
or if the beds or borders have been made up 
artificially of the proper materials. In beds it 1s 
usual to plant the layers 1ft. apart each way to 
effectually cover the ground, but if space can be 
afforded in borders the layers may profitably be 
planted in lines 151n. apart each way, and should be 
planted alternately in each succeeding line to give 
them the full advantage of space. 
Select the best rooted layers and those of even size 
for any given piece of ground as this eaualises the 
plants and gives the plantation a more effective and 
workman-like appearance. Each layer should carry 
a good ball of soil and no check to growth will be 
experienced in transplanting them. Those which 
are not well rooted may be planted in the reserve 
garden or potted up and many of them may make 
serviceable plants before spring. A trowel should 
be used for making holes so that the roots may 
retain their natural position when put in the ground. 
Make the soil perfectly firm by pressing it down 
with the fingers or the handle of the trowel. This 
practice cannot be too strongly emphasised, for 
upon firm planting depends the future welfare of the 
plant, especially in passing safely through the winter, 
