CARNATIONS -FOR EXHIBITION 55 



In mild open weather full exposure may be given 

 with advantage. Losses may occur even when the 

 most careful attention is given to the plants, as some 

 varieties are of poor growth, whilst others have the 

 germs of disease in them. 



Growers of Carnations in pots transfer their plants 

 to the pots in which they are to flower as early as 

 possible in February, consequently the soil is prepared 

 in December or during the first week in January. A 

 good compost may be made up as follows : three- 

 fourths of good brown loam if procurable, one-fourth 

 of leaf-mould, with some coarse sand or grit, and well 

 decomposed manure free from grubs. This can be 

 placed in the open, but kept covered in rainy or 

 snowy weather, and be turned occasionally to 

 sweeten it. 



FEBRUARY 



Signs of growth will now be shown by the plants, and 

 before being placed in the pots for flowering in they 

 should be gone over and thoroughly cleaned. Water 

 should be given during mild weather to any plants 

 requiring it ; the lights should be drawn off from 

 the frame, and the plants fully exposed. By the 

 third week, should the weather be open and drying, 

 the plants may receive gentle showers falling from the 

 west and south-west, care being taken that they do 

 not become too much saturated, in case there may be 

 a change to frost. Screen the plants from blustering 

 and cutting winds, but give some air even in time of 

 frost. Any plants lost during the winter should be 



