36 REMARKS ON GROWING CARNATIONS IN POTS. 



out the most effectual, as well as most economical, plan that has 

 occurred to me for the attainment of so desirable a result. 



Carnations and Picotees are usually grown in pots, not only that 

 they may be more easily protected from insects and the weather, but 

 that the necessity for stooping to attend to the flowers when in bloom, 

 and for the purpose of layering afterwards, may be avoided ; the 

 troublesome process of which latter operation, when the plants are in 

 the ground, is sufficient to deter many persons from attempting that 

 mode of culture. The really enthusiastic florist overcomes every 

 difficulty, and thinks little of trouble; but to those who are less ar- 

 dent, the act of placing themselves on their knees, with their heads 

 bent downwards, for a few hours, is by no means an amusement. It 

 is the first of these considerations that has, in a great degree, caused 

 the Pink to be less cultivated than it deserves, and has induced many 

 persons to attempt to grow it in pots, in order to avoid so much stoop- 

 ing. But besides jthese arguments in favour of pot culture, many 

 persons who grow Carnations and Picotees also cultivate the Tulip, 

 over the bed of which, when they are out of bloom, a stage is easily 

 erected, with every means of protection, and the greatest facility in 

 paying the requisite attention ; but to those who have no Tulip-bed, 

 and who do not choose to incur the expense of a stage and awning, 

 growing the Carnation injpots does not offer similar advantages, for 

 they fire then quite as much exposed to the attacks of insects and to 

 every vicissitude of weather as when in the open ground. The blooms 

 themselves may be easily protected by caps or shades from the sun ; 

 but the plan's materially suffer from the heat that generally prevails 

 at that period of the year, unless extra attention be paid to them in 

 watering and top-dressing. To those who cultivate for sale, there is 

 another objection to growing the Carnation in the ground, in the too 

 robust layers that are produced; but this will apply, in some mea- 

 sure, to amateurs, inasmuch as moderate-sized, healthy plants are 

 generally the best, both for stock and blooms. 



It is almost impossible to conceive that under any other system 

 these flowers can be brought to a greater state of perfection than that 

 attained by some of our successful cultivators ; but I have no doubt 

 that, with those who are not so skilful, equally fine blooms may be 

 produced in beds occasionally. 



