THE CARNATION MANUAL. 49 



are in consequence well established, the work of the 

 cultivator will be very light during this month. 



Cleanliness is of great importance, and the 

 plants should throughout the year be looked over 

 at convenient intervals, and all dead and decaying 

 foliage removed with a pair of scissors. 



Take care that the reserve stock of seedlings 

 and layers, kept in pots, get as much air night and 

 day as it is possible to give them. Water very 

 sparingly, if at all, and be careful that the Hghts 

 protecting them are not left off in heavy rain- 

 storms or snov/. The hghts may be covered with 

 mats if exceptionally severe fi-osts are expected, 

 but under all circumstances they must always 

 have plenty of air. 



FEBRUARY. 



Use the Dutch hoe freely to keep the surface of 

 the beds open and sweet. 



If the weather is genial and open, it will be well 

 towards the end of this month to fill up from the 

 reserves of seedlings and layers vacancies caused in 

 the borders by death. 



There is no doubt that, weather permitting, the 

 sooner these plants are put out after the middle of 

 February the better. 



MARCH. 



If not already done, take advantage of the first 

 open weather to fill up all vacancies in the border. 



