84 THE CARXATIOX MANUAL. 



the tyro will learn by experience. I favour much 

 tight-potting, and for several reasons : first, because 

 I think plants whose roots are confined give better 

 results than those that never reach the sides of 

 the pots ; and, secondly, because a greater number 

 of plants can be grown in a given space ; and this, 

 to a small grower, is an all-important factor. 



As each pot is finished, I place on the surface 

 one or two small oystcr-shclls, whereon is poured 

 the water fi'om the spout of the watering-can, thus 

 preventing those unsightly holes in the soil which 

 would be caused if the shells were not used ; the 

 pots are then placed in the cold frames and treated 

 in the same way as before, with this exception, that 

 the frames are now turned to a northern aspect. 

 As the month of April goes out, the plants are 

 placed in the open, with full exposure to sun and 

 light. In May, as the flower-stems begin to 

 lengthen, the blooming-sticks are placed to the 

 j)lants, and in June the flower-stems must be 

 neatly tied as they rise. During these two months 

 I pay great regard to cleanliness : in keeping down 

 the green-fly, in weeding the soil, in cutting off 

 the dead "grass," and also taking off the side- 

 buds as they appear. Top-dressing I consider a 

 waste of time, and do not practise it. I only grow 

 one bloom on a plant, and about the beginning of 

 July, or earlier, this bud (the main one) begins to 

 get an absorbing object for the grower's attention, 



