Show Carnations and Picotees. 49 
weather prevail at the time, shading may be neces- 
sary, but the frames should be kept close tor a few 
days till the roots have taken fresh hold. If the soil 
is on the dry side at the time of potting the plants 
may be watered with the rosed can to settle the soil, 
but if on the damp side, watering may be deferred 
for some days. In the course of a week a little 
ventilation may be given and gradually increased, 
till at the end of two or three weeks they may have 
the lights drawn right off to keep them sturdy and 
healthy. 
From this time onward they should be attended to 
in the matter of watering, when required, and 
ventilation. The better plan is to keep them on the 
dry side, but never allow them to become dust dry 
or the roots will suffer. In fine mild weather the 
lights may be left off during the day, but drawn on 
at night to prevent them from getting sodden with 
rain, or weighted down with snow. Except in hard 
frost the sashes should be tilted up at the back night 
and day. A southern exposure is best in winter, as 
the plants need all the light and air they can get to 
dry and harden the foliage. During severe frost 
the frames may be covered with mats, and if the sun 
snould be bright by day, the mats may remain to pre- 
vent sudden thawing or undue excitement by the 
heat of the sun. Keep the plants perfectly clean by 
the removal of decaying leaves. Should the shrivel- 
ling or discolouration of the leaves indicate the pre- 
sence of the Carnation Maggot, the enemy should be 
searched for and destroyed. 
Compost for the Second Potting—About the 
beginning of the year or earlier, the enthusiastic 
cultivator will be getting together the ingredients of 
the compost for the second and final potting. It 
should be taken to a dry shed to get it in proper con- 
dition for the operation. This should consist of 
good fibrous loam, taken from an old pasture and 
stacked for nine or twelve months to mellow by the 
decay of the fibrous tissue. Use this at the rate cf 
three barrow-loads to one barrow-load each of leaf 
mould, old hot-bed manure and sand. Should the 
loam be light less sand will suffice. Many growers 
of repute also use a quantity of pounded oyster 
shells, old mortar rubbish, or charcoal to ensure 
porosity. Either of them are good, but the two first 
named supply lime, which is a plant food and highly 
beneficial to Carnations. Mix these ingredients till 
