244 ON RAISING CARNATIONS FROM SEEP- 



cup containing the seed-vessel, leaving the two styles, or what are 

 generally called the homs ; by removing the former, the pods are 

 kept dry, and more exposed to the sun and air ; they should at all 

 times be j^rotected from rain, by placing over them the shades 

 used at the time of blooming ; and care should be taken that the 

 vessels whereiu the legs of your platform stand, are constantly 

 supplied with water, to prevent the approach of those nocturnal 

 enemies — earwigs. When the seed-vessels become hard, and pre- 

 sent a brown appearance at the tip, they should be gathered, and 

 in that state preserved, in a perfectly dry situation, until the fol- 

 lowing April or May, which is the period for sowing in pots or 

 boxes filled with rich loam, taking care not to cover the seed more 

 than a quarter of an inch ; give them a slight watering before they 

 are plunged into a hot-bed of about 65 degrees ; occasionally 

 moisten the surface with soft water, of the same temperature as the 

 air in the frame ; and as soon as the plants appeal - , admit the air 

 freely during the day-time, to prevent their being drawn up. 

 When about three inches high, transplant into larger pots or boxes 

 of rich turf mould, five inches apart ; place them in a southern 

 aspect, at first 2H*otecting during the nights with matting, and 

 applying moderate light watering in dry weather ; but invariably 

 avoid wetting the plants, as too much moisture frequently decays 

 the hearts of the shoots, and prevents their blooming the second 

 year. In about six weeks again transplant them, a foot asunder, 

 into beds prepared of good sandy loam, mixed with rich garden 

 mould ; keep the beds clear from weeds, and water copiously in 

 the evenings during the summer. By adopting the above course, 

 the plants will be found exceedingly strong towards October, and 

 require little or no protection in the winter ; but should any appear 

 particularly weak and unhealthy, take them up, and after examin- 

 ing the roots, which is generally the seat of disease in plants , 

 replant them in a different compost, and during the severe weather 

 protect with pots raised about two inches upon pieces of tile. I 

 have always found a long bed in the centre of a grass plot, about 

 three or four feet wide, so a^s to admit of two or three rows, by far 

 the best situation for seedlings, being more easily protected when 

 necessary by mats or hoops, and decidedly less liable to be in j Med 

 by snails, &c. In the following April let the beds be well cleaned, 

 and the surface carefully loosened, to receive a thin top-dressing 



