THE CARNATION MANUAL. 105 



make little headway if this rule is not observed ; 

 they grow, it is true, but make few roots, and the 

 consequent result is small floAvers, or, just as the 

 blooms are opening, wither and die, as if the plant 

 had done what it could and succumbed. 



Weeding the soil must be attended to, and 

 scrupulous cleanliness must still be observed if a 

 fine bloom is to be expected. 



JUNE. 



Tie the flower-stems as they need it ; disbud as 

 required. Having always grown for exhibition, I 

 only leave the main bud ; but this rule cannot be 

 laid down as a fixed one, as I have found some 

 varieties lose refinement if allowed to throw all 

 their energies into one bloom. The Self varieties, 

 mostly, are liable to grow large and out of char- 

 acter, and therefore, where the flower is known to 

 be large, two or three buds should be left. All 

 side-shoots running for bloom should be stopped, 

 thereby causing the stock to be stronger. Carefully 

 watch for green-fly and brush them off. If the 

 Aveather is dry and hot, syringe the plants, thus 

 keeping the young growth free from dust and 

 dirt. Weak varieties should not be subjected to 

 too much of this treatment, and must be taken 

 away from the general collection and placed on one 

 side, where they can be attended to individually. 

 Use sparingly weak liquid-manure as the buds swell. 



