24 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



always produced by plants grown in flower-pots. This 

 system of culture is practised by all successful exhibitors, 

 but not, as some allege, because the Carnation is a tender 

 plant which is unable to thrive in the open air. Any 

 amateur, with the least knowledge of gardening, knows 

 that most kinds of flowers are improved by cultivation 

 under glass, and it is much easier to keep them free from 

 insect pests. For house culture it is customary to pot up 

 the layers in September and October, in order that they 

 get well established before the winter. They are generally 

 wintered in garden frames. The lights must be kept rather 

 close for a week after potting up the layers ; if they are 

 tilted 2 inches or so at the back, that will be sufficient. 

 In September, if the sun is powerful, a little shade may be 

 necessary, and care should be taken to prevent the plants 

 from suffering any check in any stage of growth. When it 

 is seen that the plants have made some fresh roots, air may 

 be admitted freely, and, after two or three weeks, the glass 

 lights may be removed altogether in fine weather. Water- 

 ing must be done with extra care. Soon after repotting, an 

 application of water should be made, by means of a fine rose 

 water-pot, to settle the soil well about the roots ; afterwards 

 it must be used sparingly and carefully without a rose, as 

 wetting the leaves may be injurious and cause "spot." 

 During severe or prolonged frost in winter, it is well to pro- 

 tect the plants by mats thrown over the glass lights, although 

 they do not suffer much even from prolonged frosts. 



About the first week in March is a good time for 

 repotting. A sufficient number of clean pots should be 

 got ready, and clean potsherds for drainage. The soil also 

 ought to be in a fit condition ; that is, of a medium degree 



