ON THE CULTURE OF THE CARNATION AND PICOTEE. 51 



the hole in the bottom of each lay an oyster-shell, and upon this an 

 inch thick of fresh horse-droppings ; then fill with the compost till 

 the ball of earth, with the plants placed in centre of the pot, are 

 about an inch below the rim ; fill up with compost; strike the pot 

 smartly once or twice upon the board, and water them ; place the 

 pots upon the stage, or along the walks, upon boards laid upon 

 bricks to keep out wonns. About the beginning of June they will 

 require sticking with round sticks four feet long thrust into the 

 middle of the pot; to these tie the flower-stem with loose collars of 

 wet bass. Cut off all the flower-buds but one or two as soon as 

 they appear. About this time some plants will wither and droop 

 as if dying. I see Mr. Revell attributes this to growing them too 

 strong in their winter station ; such I can from minute observation 

 assure him is not the cause ; it proceeds from there being worms 

 in the pots ; these destroy its fertility, and render the soil acid. 

 The cure is easy : water them three times a week with lime-water 

 for a fortnight or so, and they will quickly recover. I had this 

 season a plant of Walmsley's William the Fourth in this state ; I 

 gave it the lime-water, and I afterwards won the first prize with 

 its bloom. About the latter end of July, the buds will require 

 girding. This is best done by narrow slips of bladder put two or 

 three times round the pod; when wet with gum-water they dry and 

 become firmly attached. When they are in full bloom, they 

 require cording and shading by means of an awning. As soon as 

 the flowers begin to fade, commence layering. I need not enter 

 into this, it is too well understood ; but when well rooted, proceed 

 as recommended at the beginning of this article. I should advise 

 young Florists not to seek variety, but to confine themselves to 

 five or six pair of each of the best sorts, particularly if they com- 

 pete for prizes. I am, perhaps, one of the largest Amateur growers 

 in the kingdom, having about 325 sorts, and near 1500 plants ; I 

 can say what no others can, that I have shewn for several seasons, 

 and have (with one exception) taken the first prizes. I must 

 apologize for the length of this, but I have found it impossible to 

 compress it into a smaller compass. 



Innovator. 

 Jfou shall hear from me again. [\V<- shall esteem it a favour. — 



< '('Mil < I"K. J 



