20 THE BOOK OF THE CARNATION 



produced, which develop into flower-stems, so that 

 instead of the usual one or two stemmed plant, we 

 secure one with eight to a dozen flower-stems. The inex- 

 perienced, however, must be warned against permitting 

 early layered plants to stand too long after root action has 

 fairly been accomplished. The result is widely dispersed 

 roots, which have to be broken when lifted for trans- 

 planting, so giving one of those cheeks to growth which 

 is invariably inimical to the well-being of the Carnation. 



The position selected for the beds is of much im- 

 portance. Let it be as elevated as possible, dry under- 

 neath, and open to sun and air. It will be found better 

 rather to have the beds in open vegetable quarters than in 

 borders confined by low trees. As to soil, the plant is 

 not inadaptable, and it succeeds in all kinds, so long as 

 that which is too heavy is lightened to meet its require- 

 ments. Manure, as a rule, ought not to be applied to soil 

 for the Carnation itself, any stimulant of that nature 

 being better introduced for a previous crop. At the same 

 time, that is not always convenient, and therefore to 

 meet its wants the manure employed should be thoroughly 

 decayed, broken up finely, and as evenly and regularly 

 mixed as possible with the soil in course of digging. 

 Fresh earth is, of course, always valuable, and in the case 

 of very heavy soils, leaf-mould and sand freely incorporated 

 with the upper six inches is of much value. Generally, 

 too, a bed raised a few inches above the level of the 

 surrounding soil is better than one on the flat, and in 

 forming the bed, let it be somewhat convex. The 

 Carnation likes a rather firm-rooting medium, and there- 

 fore previous to planting, and while the soil is dry, have 

 it firmly compressed by trampling. 



It often happens that plants cannot be put into the 

 positions chosen for them until spring, and in such cases 

 they must be wintered under glass, either in cold frames 

 or in pits. Under these conditions it is commonly advised 



