THE HEART OF THE YEAR 



Border Carnations. — The flower stems are now rising 

 rapidly, and there must be no neglect in providing 

 supports. Remember the advan- 

 tages of coil wire stakes, as advised 

 in a previous chapter. If fine 

 blooms are wanted, most of the 

 side buds of the various clusters 

 should be removed in order to 

 throw strength into the central 

 ones. Three may be left on each 

 stem. 



Care of Ferns. — It saves some 

 trouble in watering if a shade- 

 wash is put on the glass of green- 

 houses for the summer, and shading 

 of this kind, or in the form of roller 

 blinds, is particularly necessary in Fig. 48.— Coil Stake for 

 the case of Ferns, which might carnations. 



-^. a. The coil stake. 



otherwise be scorched up. The pots b. Main stem and flower 



should stand on cool, moisture- 

 holding material, such as fine shingle, and this should 

 be kept moist. Constant attention should be given to 

 watering, or the plants will collapse. 



Maggots in Marguerite Leaves. — The foliage of 

 Marguerites is sometimes discoloured by zigzag lines, 

 and may become covered with brown blotches. The 

 appearance is due to the attack of a leaf-mining grub 

 similar to that which affects Celery (see preceding 

 chapter), and may be dealt with in the same way. 



Window Boxes. — It stimulates window plants if they 

 are looked over occasionally, decaying leaves and fading 

 flowers picked off, the soil stirred up with a trowel, and 

 an application of fertiliser sprinkled over the soil two or 

 three times a week just before watering. There is still 

 277 



July 

 1-15 



