86 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



in the soil than it was growing previously. If anything, 

 raise it slightly higher, and stem-roots will then be less likely 

 to occur. The subsequent cultivation is the same as for 

 pot-grown plants, but greater care must be observed in water- 

 ing during the winter months. Watering then is not often 

 necessary more than once in ten days, or even a fortnight, 

 when sufficient should be given in a tepid state to saturate 

 the whole mass of soil. In early spring, when the roots 

 become more active, more frequent waterings will be re- 

 quired, and at each time a stimulant should be given, 

 varying liquid manure with a top-dressing of an approved 

 artificial fertiliser. In America, the field cultivation of the 

 plants for benches is practised universally, and great pains 

 are taken to have the soil in a rich, workable condition at 

 the time of planting in the open. In the previous autumn, 

 the ground is manured liberally and dug or ploughed ; it 

 is left in this condition until early in the spring, when it is 

 again worked thoroughly previous to the planting. Plant- 

 ing takes place when all danger of frost is over, and the 

 young plants, usually from 3-inch pots, are planted 15 to 18 

 inches apart between the rows, and 10 to 12 inches in the 

 row. They receive constant attention in the way of stop- 

 ping and watering until they are lifted in the months of 

 July and August and planted in their winter quarters on 

 benches under glass. This method is being practised in this 

 country, with good results ; but the Carnations are not 

 planted out until the beginning of May, when they are 

 bushy plants in 4 or 5 inch pots, having been previously 

 well hardened in cold frames. 



