WINTER TKEATME&T OF CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES. 271 



weather, in sleet or snow, or when apprehensive of a severe frost, he 

 made a good protection of mats, but on all other occasions they had all 

 tlie weather ; the result was tliat his layers were healthy, the produce 

 great, and flowers fine. I also recollect seeing lately an account of 

 some layers in France, ivhich had been potted in strong soil, and 

 placed in a north aspect ; they were seldom watered, and were pro- 

 tected from rain. They escaped in the severe winter of 1837-38, 

 whilst most other collections, which had been more tenderly nursed, 

 were destroyed. I may here observe that, from being placed in a 

 north aspect, and having but a small quantity of moisture, the innu- 

 merable small cells or vessels contained in the stem of the layer v/ere 

 midoubtedly not overcharged with sap, as is the case with plants of a 

 gross and robust habit, and Avould escape the effects of severe weather ; 

 whilst, on tlie other hand, those whose sap-vessels are fully distended 

 would experience ruinous effects from the frozen sap becoming too 

 large for their vessels or cells, and a complete rupture takes place 

 throughout the plant, causing its dissolution. As a familiar illustration, 

 the same effects may be observed in our own gardens ; for in severe 

 frosts, when a flower-pot is filled with wet soil, and the mass becomes 

 frozen through, the destruction of the pot is the consequence. From 

 this it will be seen that it is imperatively necessary that they should be 

 kept nearly dry through the winter months. My own plan, imme- 

 diately after removing the layers from the closed frame before alluded 

 to, was to place them under a slight awning, made of thin calico, 

 stretched on a frame about twelve feet long by three feet broad, and 

 painted with oil and a little white lead. This is attached to a wall, so 

 tliat I can let it up or down at pleasure. They remain beneath tliis, 

 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 tiiink that many layers are annually lost by 

 over-kindness, being made more susceptible of cold by the nursing and 

 stewing they get in frames ; and where Mr. Bucknall's 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, suffi- 

 ciently far apart tiiat tiie ])ots 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 decidetlly preferable, should have square apertures, botii 

 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 

 tlie pots; it is also an excellent preventive against frost, ami com- 



