116 THE CARNATION MANUAL. 



constant attention with water, for if neglected and 

 allowed to remain dry they will make no progress 

 in the way of rooting. 



POTTING THE LAYERS. 



October is the month for this operation, and 

 if they have been properly laid and attended to 

 they should now be in fine condition for putting 

 into their winter quarters. They can either be 

 potted singly in 2| or three-inch pots, and plunged 

 in cocoa-nut fibre, on a bottom of ashes in cold 

 frames, or planted out in the frames. The general 

 practice in this district is to pot the finer varieties 

 and plant out the commoner sorts. I find that 

 plants of the same variety turned out of pots 

 bloom a few days earlier than those that have 

 been planted out in the frames ; Avhich shows that 

 the less the roots are disturbed in the spring the 

 better. After potting, water, and keep the frames 

 closed for a few days. Then give plenty of air, 

 pulling the sashes off on all favourable occasions. 

 Never leave them without air all the Avinter, unless 

 in the very severest weather, when the sashes may 

 be closed, and they will need no other protection, 

 as they will stand the severest frost if protected 

 from cold cutting Avinds. Yery little Avater Avill be 

 Avanted through the Avinter season, but should it 

 be necessary, choose a favourable day and AA^ater 

 in the morning, giving plenty of air afterAvards to 



