68 FLOWERS AND THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



should be in perfection early in July, each plant being 

 two feet high and as much across, and then the flower 

 stems may be allowed to grow. The plants require a 

 great deal of training and tying before they are con- 

 sidered presentable. As soon as the flowers are dead, 

 cut them off", unless seed be required; cut down the 

 stems, and put the plants out of doors, or in a cold pit ; 

 give plenty of air, and return them to the greenhouse 

 before frost ; keep them there until cuttings are taken in 

 March, and then they will be no more wanted : for old 

 plants are not handsome, and are thrown aside as useless. 



Calceolarias do not bear forcing well, and they are 

 subject to a disease a little like that of the potato, 

 which seems to be contagious, so that when dark spots 

 appear on the leaves and stems, the plants affected 

 should be removed at once. "Wet at the root is sup- 

 posed to cause it. 



Carnations should have a place in every garden where 

 they will grow, 110 less for their beauty than for their 

 delicious fragrance. As florists' flowers, they are divided 

 into three classes : Flakes are striped with one colour 

 and white ; Eizarres are streaked with two colours and 

 white ; Picotees, which are the hardiest as well as per- 

 haps the most beautiful, have each petal margined with 

 colour on a white or yellow ground, or dotted with very 

 small spots. The beautiful and deliciously scented 

 clove is said to be the original form of the carnations. 



To make a compost for growing carnations, take loam 

 from an upland pasture, cutting thick turfs from the 

 surface. Let them lie in a heap for a year, turning 

 them over every month, and picking out the wireworm 

 with great care. To this add one fifth part of cow- 

 manure which has laid to rot two years, and a fifth part 

 of well decayed vegetable mould. Mix these together, 

 and let them lie three months longer, turning them over 

 three or four times during that time. 



Choice carnations are wry often grown in pots. 

 They are planted for flowering, generally in pairs, about 

 the end of March, in 11-inch pots, well drained with 

 crocks (as they are injured by much moisture), and 



