54 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



in March, when the flower-spikes are in course of develop- 

 ment. These are the two principal seasons when feeding 

 by top-dressings is particularly necessary. In the case of 

 plants which are grown throughout the year in the same 

 pots, a third dressing is necessary as soon as the flower- 

 ing season is over, say, in June. I have found Clay's 

 Fertiliser a most valuable stimulant, and I use two parts 

 of this manure to one part of bone-meal. The loose soil 

 on the surface is removed, and then this mixture is applied 

 at the rate of a tablespoonful to a 9-inch pot, and a 

 proportionately larger quantity to plants in pots of larger 

 sizes. A dusting of fine soil, consisting of loam and leaf- 

 soil, should be placed neatly over the manure, and a good 

 watering afforded with slightly warmed water. Between 

 the seasons when top-dressings are applied, diluted farm- 

 yard manure water, in which a sack of soot has been 

 allowed to soak, may be given about twice each week with 

 advantage. It will cause the foliage to appear exceedingly 

 healthy, and it will invigorate growth. 



Pests and Diseases. Like most other plants when 

 grown under glass, Malmaison Carnations are liable to 

 the attacks of insect and fungal pests. The chief pest 

 is the well-known green-fly, which soon disfigures the 

 foliage if its presence is not quickly detected. Occasional 

 fumigations with the X.L. All Vaporising Compound will 

 keep the pest in check. Red Spider is apt to make its 

 unwelcome appearance, especially in hot, dry weather, and 

 it must be combated with a fairly strong application of the 

 vaporiser, repeating it on two or three alternate evenings. 



A fungus known as Uromyces Dianthi appears as 

 coffee sprinkled on the foliage and stem of the plant. 



