Show Carnations and Picotees. 51 
Fill the box with soil, cover with tarpaulin or 
coarse, wet sacking to retain the steam. When all is 
in readiness open the valve at the boiler to admit the 
steam to the soil. A pressure of 5olbs. per square 
inch in the boiler would answer, though less might 
suffice. Allow the steam to play into the soil for 25 
to 30 minutes, and if the uecnp ecaUU of the soil is 
raised somewhat between 200° and 212°, all germs, 
insects, and worms should be destroyed. 
After the operation the soil will be quite wet and 
should be exposed to the air by the removal of the 
box. When fairly workable it could then be spread 
out to dry in readiness for mixing with other 
ingredients of the desired compost, and for potting 
operations. 
Lime and Method of Potting —By the beginning 
of February, if the winter has been fairly open, the 
Carnations in frames will have made considerable 
growth and the roots will have filled their pots. A 
commencement may be made to shift the more for- 
ward into their flowering pots, and the operation 
may be continued from the beginning of February 
to the middle of March—a period of six weeks. 
This gives the plants an opportunity of filling the 
pots with roots before throwing up their flower stems, 
and enables the operator to complete his work in 
good time, even if the collection is a large one. 
Seven, eight, and nine inch pots may be used 
according to the size or vigour of the plants. Two 
or three plants should be put in each, the latter num- 
ber making a more evenly balanced potful. Plants 
of equal size should be matched for each pot. 
Drain the pots well and cover the crocks with moss 
or rough leaves to keep the drainage clean. Place 
some compost on the top of this and proceed to turn 
out the plants, placing them equidistant in the pots. 
Fill in the spaces between the plants and round the 
sides, pressing it all down very firmly, as Carnations 
delight in a well compacted soil. When all is 
finished the compost should be half an inch belcw 
the rim of the pot to allow for watering. Some 
varieties are naturally of small and weak growth so 
that a Oin. pot may suffice for three plants. This 
must be left to the discretion of the operator, who 
should be familiar with the nature and peculiarities 
of all in his collection, except the recent arrivals. A 
year or two of experience and observation will 
enable the cultivator to do this. Plants that are 
