ON THE CARNATION. 9*7 



it up or down at pleasure. They remain beneath this, alike sheltered 

 from too much sun, which is injurious at their first removal, as well 

 as the heavy dashing autumn rains, till the approach of frost gives a 

 hint that some further protection is necessary. 



For my own part, I think that many layers arc annually lost by 

 over kindness ; being made more susceptible of cold by the nursing 

 and stewing they get in frames ; and where Mr. BucknalPs plan can 

 be followed, for wintering them under a glass roof with open sides, I 

 most certainly would recommend it. 



But for those who either cannot or will not be at the expense of 

 such an erection, the old system of protection must suffice. They 

 must, therefore, choose a north aspect for their frames, and put a 

 thick layer of coal-ashes on the bottom; on which rows of bricks are 

 laid, sufficiently far apart that the pots may stand just touching 

 each other : the frame must be tilted at bottom, so as to admit a free 

 current of air, which it is desirable to obtain as long as possible. 

 Brick pits or frames, which are decidedly preferable, should have 

 square apertures, both before and behind ; with a sliding panel or 

 door, as in rainy weather, when the lights are down, a circulation 

 could not be obtained, and on this I would lay great stress; for 

 being kept too close engenders mildew, and too often ruins a whole 

 stock. I have tried the plan, and found it answer, of plunging my 

 pots in barley chaff: this keeps the roots from too great extremes, 

 occasioned by the action of the air on the pots ; it is also an excellent 

 preventive against frost, and completely sets the inroads of snails 

 and worms at defiance. The only objection to its use was, that spar- 

 rows would get into the frame, and in their search for corn scatter 

 the awns over the tops of the pots, and they lodged between the 

 leaves ; but this I easily obviated by adopting Mr. Anderson's plan 

 of stretching black thread just under the lights, which completely 

 rid me of these troublesome visitants. 



While in their winter quarters, attention must be paid to take off 

 the lights on every opportunity, and draw them over again on the 

 appearance of rain. In fact, it must be borne in mind that abund- 

 ance of air, without unnecessary exposure to cutting winds, is essen- 

 tially requisite for the health of the layers. 



During the time they are in the frames, the soils or compost, in 

 which they are to be flowered, should be well looked after. The 



