THE CARNATION MANUAL. 113 



as it is hurtful to them to be confined in small 

 pots after that time. 



PLANTING. 



The usual practice here is to plant in beds four 

 feet wide, and one foot between the plants, which 

 gives ample room for getting the grass laid. With 

 a planting-trowel make a hole to receive the plant, 

 turn out of the pot without breaking the ball, 

 place the plant in position, and, with the hand, fill 

 in the soil round the roots, pressing it moderately 

 firm, smooth the surface, and give a good watering 

 after the bed is finished. Very little Avill be 

 requhed for a considerable time after, but should 

 the weather continue dry they must on no account 

 be allowed to suffer for the want of water. An 

 occasional stirring of the surface-soil will also 

 benefit them very much during the growing season. 



CHEMICAL MANURES. 



During the last few years I have experimented 

 with a great many of the chemical manures which 

 are in the market, but I have found nothing that 

 the Carnation likes better than soot. About a 

 month or six weeks after planting I invariably give 

 the beds a good heavy dressing of soot, put on 

 broadcast either with the hand or trowel. It Avill 

 do no harm to the plants even though it may be 

 newly out of the vents or flues, and the foliage may 



