42 Growing Flowers 



down with two small sticks in the form of a crotch 

 and do not disturb for a couple of weeks or longer. 



Carnations will root in boxes oj sand quite readily. 

 The shoot should be cut near a knot and the 

 cutting should be four or five inches in length. 



A little indigo blue, placed in the water in which 

 carnations are placed after being cut, will color 

 white carnations a pretty blue. In trying to get 

 red, white, and blue flowers for decorative pur- 

 poses on Washington's birthday, or at other times 

 when blue flowers are hard to obtain, this plan 

 should be used. 



February and March are the best months in which 

 to plant carnations. Carnations should have good 

 drainage but the soil should be kept moderately 

 moist, particularly while the seeds are germinating. 

 The seedlings should be hardened before being 

 transplanted. 



A soil highly recommended for carnations is 

 composed of one part of barnyard manure mixed 

 with three parts of fibrous loam and two parts of 

 coarse sand. This should be well mixed and kept 

 in a damp place a month before using, when a 

 couple of ounces of basic slag may be added to 

 act as a tonic for the flowers. 



