114 THE FORCING GARDEN. 



fill a dozen or two of the pans with a compost of one 

 part maiden loam sifted fine through a quarter or three- 

 eighths of an inch mesh sieve, two parts fine-sifted leaf- 

 mould, and one part silver sand, well mixed together* 

 First, place a few crocks over the holes in the bottom 

 of the pans, then a little of the siftings over them, and 

 finally fill up to the rims, making it quite firm ; then 

 prepare the pipings in the usual way by cutting the 

 base of the third or fourth joint at right angles im- 

 mediately below the joint, but not into it, so as to leave 

 one-sixteenth of an inch below it. Cut with a razor- 

 edged small knife a penknife will do very well. As 

 soon as enough are made to fill one pan, insert the 

 pipings with a small pointed stick not larger than a 

 lead pencil, at one inch apart all over the pans ; and 

 give a thorough soaking with water through a fine rose. 

 Then place the pans, as they are filled, on a mild bottom 

 heat, over a tank or heated pit, and keep the house or 

 pit close till the pipings are struck, which will be with- 

 in three weeks with the Pinks, and a month with the 

 Carnations. 



As soon as they are well struck give them air, or 

 place the pans containing the plants in a cooler house 

 or pit, to harden off a little, say for a week. Then 

 prick them off into other pans or boxes, about two inches 

 apart, water, and return them to the house or a warm 

 pit with a good light. As the plants get strength and 

 begin to grow, nip out the central point ; this will in- 

 duce a bushy growth. It will now be about the end of 

 March or beginning of April : so admit an abundance 

 of air daily, and by the beginning of May the plants will 

 all be in good order for planting out. Now choose a 

 nice mellow spot of ground in an open sunny place ; 



