88 Select Carnations, Picotees, and Pinks. 
exert a powerful influence upon growth, and the 
grower can determine whether a second stopping 1s 
necessary or not, if not done earlier, especially in 
the case of plants from cuttings inserted early in 
January. Late flowering varieties if wanted by a 
given time should not be stopped a second time. 
Should the growth of all be retarded by sunless and 
wel weather stopping should not be attempted after 
May. 
The Third Potting. 
The plants should be transferred to their flower- 
ing pots about the fourth week in June, and these 
should be 74in. to 8in. in diameter, inside top 
measurement. Compost for the final potting may be 
similar to the previous one, but some half inch 
bones and soot may be mixed with it. A little of 
some approved artificial fertiliser at this stage will 
also give a filip to growth, but the cultivator should 
be careful always not to overfeed as it reduces the 
constitution of the plant. After potting, if con- 
venient return the pots to the frames for a few days 
till the roots take fresh hold. If the soil] is suitably 
moist at the time of potting water may be withheld 
for a day or two, especially if the weather is cloudy. 
In the meantime prepare a bed of clean ashes on 
which to stand the plants for the remainder of the 
summer. Here they will acquire a sturdy vigour 
and firmness of foliage unattainable under glass. 
They will flower much more freely after being 
housed for being summered out of doors. 
During fine weather the syringe may be plied 
twice a day to keep down red spider and greenfly. 
As the plants throw up their flower stems and 
require support bamboo canes may be placed, one 
in each pot, and the stems neatly looped to it. The 
stakes should vary in proportion to the accustomed 
height of each variety. Feeding with some artificial 
fertiliser may be commenced well into August, by 
which time the pots will be filled with roots, making 
the application of it safe. Careful watering must 
at all times be practised, especially before the root 
system has been well developed, and again in late 
autumn and winter when the atmosphere is laden 
with moisture and light feeble. 
The plants may safely remain in the open till 
towards the end of September, when they should be 
housed in a low-roofed, well-lighted and _ freely 
