CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS 113 



in a moderately warm atmosphere, in order to obtain 

 flowers as early as possible. The earliest layers should be 

 repotted into the flowering pots as they require it. 



Perpetual-Flowering Varieties. As this note is being 

 written, a letter has arrived complaining that the Perpetual- 

 Flowering Carnation blooms are opening badly and are of 

 small size (the letter is written in December). The reason 

 why the flowers do not open satisfactorily is owing to a 

 low temperature and moist atmosphere. Amateurs see the 

 fine flowers exhibited in London and elsewhere, but the 

 best of these are not only produced in a house specially set 

 apart for them, and therefore properly heated and ventilated, 

 but some are brought from places such as Guernsey, where 

 the climate is favourable to their perfect development. As 

 the flower-stems grow, attend early to supporting them 

 with stakes. Do not coddle the plants in any way, but give 

 them an abundance of air on all favourable occasions. 



NOVEMBER 



" November sky is chill and drear, 

 November's leaf is red and sear." 



Border Carnations and Picotees. Very little can be 

 done after the layers are potted up or planted out, except 

 to see that they are safe from insect pests. 



Malmaison Varieties. The plants should have full ex- 

 posure to the light, and as much ventilation as may be con- 

 sistent with the weather out-of-doors. The plants intended 

 to flower early may be given similar treatment to the tree 

 Carnations, and those intended for flowering later should 

 be wintered with the border Carnations, if these are in a 



H 



