THE CARNATION MANUAL. 63 



JULY. 



Continue attention to the tying of flower-stems, 

 and disbud as required. 



Tie buds inclined to burst their calyx with 

 raffia matting, or use small india-rubber bands. 

 Water freely if the weather is persistently dry and 

 hot. Towards the end of the month begin layer- 

 ing such plants as have their "grass" sufficiently 

 matured ; this is to some extent evidenced by the 

 waning of the flowers. As the plant goes out of 

 bloom, it may be considered ready to layer. 



If spare time can be found towards the end of 

 the month, it will be well to put in hand the 

 border which is to receive the new stock of layers. 

 (For detailed instructions, see the body of this 

 work.) 



During this month the previous year's seedlings 

 will have been in full bloom. There will certainly 

 be a percentage of "singles" among them, and 

 these should be ruthlessly pulled out of the beds as 

 soon as their shortcomings are discovered. 



There will be a further large percentage of 

 double varieties, too rough or too thin, or with the 

 short, round buds, which prove that the flowers 

 will certainly have a tendency to burst their calyx. 

 These, too, should be all cleared out of the border, 

 giving air-space and room to the more deserving 

 or promising plants that are left. 



