102 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



possible, and admit air freely. In other respects the treat- 

 ment should be similar to that afforded in January. 



Perpetual-Flowering Varieties. Continue to take slips 

 or cuttings, and treat them as advised for January. Let the 

 flowering plants be looked over, removing all dead or 

 decaying flowers and leaves. The plants in bud should 

 have the growths tied to neat sticks, painted green, of a 

 tint as near as possible to that of the leaves ; a dull green 

 is not so obtrusive as a bright green. Pot on the plants as 

 they require it and inure them very gradually to a lower 

 temperature. They should not be repotted from the warm 

 house, and placed at once in a cold one ; it is better to 

 return them to the warm house until they have made new 

 roots. The temperatures should be the same as in January. 

 Cut back slightly a number of year-old plants for growing 

 on a second year, keeping them on the dry side until they 

 commence to grow. 



MARCH 



Border Carnations and Picotees. Assuming that the 

 flower-pots are ready, and the compost prepared, re- 

 potting may be proceeded with in favourable weather. 

 See that the plants are quite free from green-fly before 

 repotting them. Potting soil of the best quality is not 

 easy to be obtained in some districts, but if the fibrous 

 part of decayed turf is available, some of it may be placed 

 over the ample drainage to prevent the finer particles of 

 the compost from mixing with it. In fine weather, look 

 over the beds of Carnations, and stir the surface soil, re- 

 moving weeds ; fill up any blanks by utilising the reserve 

 plants now in frames. Plant firmly, inserting each plant 

 into the ground to the first pair of leaves. If the weather 



