CARNATIONS, PICOTEES, AND PINKS 71 



March. Planting in beds and borders may be done 

 in favourable weather. If any of the plants put out in 

 autumn have done badly, they may be removed and 

 fresh plants put in their places. Prepare the soil 

 thoroughly. Young plants in frames should be planted 

 out. Carnation seed may be sown in boxes and placed 

 on a hotbed or shelf in a warm greenhouse. Continue 

 the propagation of winter bloomers. If green-fly should 

 appear on the cuttings, dip them in water at a tempera- 

 ture of 100. If the cuttings show a tendency to damp- 

 ing off, put a tumbler or bellglass over them to check 

 evaporation from the leaves till roots have formed. 

 When the roots of struck cuttings have reached the 

 bottom of the pots, repot them in a compost of three 

 parts loam, one leaf mould, one decayed manure, and 

 some coarse washed sand. 



April. Plants in the garden will now be in active 

 growth. The soil should be hoed regularly. Fresh 

 plants may still be put in. Seedlings raised in March 

 may be picked off three inches apart and put on a shelf 

 in a greenhouse. Young winter bloomers may be re- 

 potted as required, and kept in a light, airy greenhouse. 

 From now onwards vaporising the house once a fort- 

 night with a vaporising cone (which seedsmen supply) 

 will keep down green-fly and other insects. Malmaisons 

 will perhaps be in bloom. Meet their requirements for 

 water judiciously, never letting the soil become parched, 

 but at the same time guarding against keeping it 

 sodden. 



May. Bed and border plants which were planted in 

 autumn or March will now be growing rapidly. By the 

 middle of the month it is quite likely that the flower 

 stem will begin to spindle up ; anyway, stakes should be 

 procured and kept in readiness. Tying cannot be con)- 



