THE CARNATION MANUAL. 125 



feet in width, a sunk pathway running along the 

 middle, with beds of soil on each side. 



The roof is the very lightest I could devise, 

 and is supported by light T-iron uprights em- 

 bedded in cement — kneed at the eaves — and 

 bolted together through the ridgepiece. These 

 give rigidity and strength to the whole structure. 

 The sash bars are two by one and a half inches. 

 The sides are of boarding, and are nearly three 

 feet in height, and are constructed in such a 

 manner that in warm Aveather they can be com- 

 pletely opened, leaving the plants practically 

 growing in the open air, though protected over- 

 head with glass. A four-inch pipe all round gives 

 the necessar}^ heat during winter and spring. 



In the autumn I protect my blooms from the 

 ravages of humble-bees by covering the open sides 

 with hexagon netting. Hydrants and hose aftbrd 

 the water-supply. 



The above, as will have been gathered from my 

 description, is a span-roof building, but I also have 

 a bed in a lean-to, late peach-house, in which the 

 plants do equally well. 



AVith regard to pot culture, my experience 

 is that Carnations resent forcing, and that by 

 far the safest plan is to give them plenty of time, 

 but keep them moving. I do not employ farm- 

 yard manure in any form for pot culture, and feed 

 my plants with "fertilisers." I lind it is better 



