158 THE CARNATION MANUAL. 



no Stated period set down for re-potting these 

 plants, as there may be three months between the 

 rooting of the cuttings. A careful, good cultivator 

 will watch his plants daily, and re-pot any that 

 need it, for if they become what gardeners call pot- 

 bound, the chances are that a check will be given 

 to them from which they do not speedily recover. 

 During this month it is a pleasure to see the full 

 development of the leaves, and, if the plants are 

 free from parasites, their colour is a rich glaucous 

 green. By the end of the month the lights may 

 be removed from the plants night and day. Old 

 plants that may have been turned out of the 

 green-house should be planted against walls, well- 

 exposed to the sun, to produce flowers in the 

 autumn. 



JUNE. 



Still continue to re-pot the plants, using the 

 potting-soil not so finely broken up for the larger 

 ones. Be careful to secure good drainage in the 

 floAver-pots in which the plants are expected to 

 flower, and place over the drainage some fibrous 

 loam from which all the clay particles have been 

 shaken out. This or some such material is neces- 

 sary to prevent the soil from mixmg with the 

 drainage; if this happens the plants may not do 

 well. Place the plants in an open position out- 

 of-doors on a hard bottom of ashes. The ashes 

 should be rolled or beaten down quite firmly. I 



