PROPAGATION BY SEED 73 



firmly in the process. Once root-action and growth has 

 recommenced, remove to a frame, being careful at this 

 stage in the application of water. When the plants are 

 an inch to an inch and a half high, they ought to be 

 transferred to the position selected for their growth out 

 of doors, where, if they are to remain to flower, each 

 should be accorded a space of eighteen inches each way ; 

 but if on the other hand these are to be transplanted to 

 their flowering quarters at the end of summer, then half 

 that distance apart will be ample. The method of treat- 

 ing Carnations in the garden will be found at pages 17 to 

 24, and to these the reader is referred for instruction as 

 to cultivation of soil and other matters. Meanwhile 

 we shall resume operations in early summer, when the 

 spindling flower-stalks demand consideration. Frequently 

 they are left trailing and twisting about until the buds 

 show colour, then stakes are brought out, and an endeavour 

 made to attach the draggled stems to these ; but the 

 attempt is never so successful as to hide the fact of their 

 having been left a prey to forgetfulness. It is much better, 

 and wastes less time, that always precious commodity in 

 a garden, to attack the plants as soon as the stalks have 

 grown a few inches ; and having provided a sufficient 

 quantity of short sticks, apply one to each stalk, giving it 

 just one tie, and no further attention will be required. 

 A more rapid, though less tidy, but withal a perfectly 

 efficient method, consists in sticking a quantity of short 

 brushwood among the plants, upon which the stems rest. 

 When the flowers begin to expand, the hopes of the florist 

 begin to rise, and no matter whether none of the varieties 

 are quite so good as others in cultivation, there will be 

 sure to be some that the raiser would like to perpetuate. 

 A few layers should accordingly be prepared of these at 

 the earliest moment, though I have known varieties bloom 

 so late that it was impossible to root layers the same 

 season ; but cuttings may be taken quite late in the year, 



