Eight] House-plants ?' 



between the rows will heighten the colour of flowers 

 and foliage and add stiffness to the flower-stems. The 

 ashes will also counteract the tendency to burst the 

 calyx, so troublesome in the Carnation. Plants in- 

 tended for winter blooming should have all the buds 

 removed during the summer, up to the first of Sep- 

 tember. 



Only a few flowers will be obtained in the open 

 ground the first year, but if the plants are protected 

 during the winter they will bloom freely the second 

 season. While blooming no seed should be allowed 

 to form, and if size and quality are desired more than 

 profusion of bloom, all but the terminal buds on each 

 stalk should be removed. This is the method em- 

 ployed by florists to produce their long-stemmed beau- 

 ties. Dig in the second summer a little old manure 

 between the rows and sprinkle ashes there. A mulch 

 of two or three inches of lawn clippings between the 

 plants will hold the moisture so that cultivation will 

 not be necessary. Fresh Carnation seed should be 

 sown each spring, that there may always be blossom- 

 ing plants and the bed made perpetual. Carnations 

 will not stand the second winter, hence the need of 

 young plants to renew the bed. 



If it is desired to perpetuate any variety cuttings 

 may be taken, or the plants may be increased by layer- 

 ing. Branches from each plant may be pegged down 

 between the rows, equal distances apart, severed from 

 the old plants when sufficiently established, and al- 



