146 THE CARNATION MANUAL. 



these plants have been so greatly improved, and 

 many of the fine and striking varieties seen in the 

 present day owe their origin to his indefatigable 

 labour and experiments. 



How should Winter-Flowering Carnations be 

 treated ? It is the purpose of this paper to give an 

 answer to this important question. A proper 

 compost in which to grow the plants is indis- 

 pensable to success, and this should be composed of 

 good yellow loam, plenty of well-rotted manure, a 

 little peat, and some coarse sand. 



In potting the plants the roots should have 

 plenty of pot room, as the period of bloom is much 

 longer than in the case of summer-flowering 

 varieties, and .the growth and blossom are both 

 conducted under much more trying conditions ; 

 therefore, to allow the roots to become pot-bound 

 during the time they flower is bad practice. 



When the season is at all favourable, it is a 

 good plan to plant out in the open air at the end 

 of May, and lift and re-pot the first week in 

 September, during Avhich time they will have made 

 free growth. It is necessary to stop the leading 

 shoots about twice during the time they are in the 

 open ground. After being potted the plants do 

 best when stood in a cold frame or under a north 

 wall, and should be shaded for a week or ten days, 

 until well established. 



It is obvious, as these Carnations flower during 



