50 CARNATIONS AND PINKS 



across, under measurement (measure a little below 

 the rim). It is useful also to remember that what- 

 ever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. 



POTTING 



Get the best potting soil obtainable, such as good 

 fibrous loam partly decayed and free from wireworm. 

 Tear or break it up, and to four parts of loam add one 

 part of leaf-mould and the same of decayed stable 

 manure. This should be well mixed together, and 

 if the loam is not sandy add to it an 8-inch pot 

 full of ground oyster shells to every barrow load of 

 compost. If this is not possible, coarse white sand 

 may be substituted. Dirty flower pots must be 

 avoided. The pots should be scrubbed clean outside 

 and inside, and use clean crocks also, putting them in 

 carefully with the concave side underneath, a few 

 larger pieces in the bottom, and over these the smaller 

 bits to the depth of an inch. This is of course for 

 the pots in which the plants are to flower (one crock 

 only is sufficient in the bottom of the smaller ones). 

 Over the drainage place some fibrous turf, and pot 

 firmly. Do not mind a little extra trouble, as one 

 well-grown plant is a thing of beauty, but one badly 

 grown is a perpetual eyesore. Large specimens may 

 be grown by re-potting some of the best of the one- 

 year old plants in large pots ; 8-inch are of sufficient 

 size, and very fine Carnations may be grown in them, 

 if well trained and kept clean. An abundance of 

 flowers is the result in the autumn months. 



