CARNATION. 101 



take the pipings and stick them into the soil within the 

 mark of the glass; the pipings will readily enter with- 

 out danger of breaking, for being immersed in water 

 gives them firmness ; when all are in, give them a gentle 

 watering to settle the soil around them ; when the grass of 

 the piping is dry, put on the bell glass to exclude the air, 

 and place them in the shade. It will be necessary to take 

 off the glass occasionally to water them; the glass should 

 never be replaced while the plants are wet. When you 

 perceive the plants begin to grow, you must begin to ad- 

 mit air ; in about six weeks, the pipings, under favorable 

 circumstances, will be ready to transplant, and may be 

 treated the same as full grown plants. The Carnation is 

 perfectly hardy in Europe, but requires protection in this 

 country, as the rain and snow will destroy them, therefore 

 they ought to be kept during the winter season in a dry 

 place. The last of March, if the weather be fine, it will 

 be necessary to take them out of their winter quarters, 

 and pot them off singly, or plant them put in the open 

 ground. If intended to flower in pots, the soil most con- 

 genial for their prosperity is a rich sandy loam with a 

 good drainage. If the pots are sunk in the ground to 

 the rim until the flowers begin to expand, it will save 

 much trouble ; then remove them into the house or a shady 

 situation; it will preserve the flowers longer, and their 

 colors continue more brilliant. When the plants are kept 

 in the ground or in pots, as they spindle up to flower, they 

 will require a stick, and be tied up as the stern advances. 

 Most of the finest flowers have a tendency to burst out on 

 one side ; should this be the case, take a sharp pointed 

 knife and ease the opposite side to make them open eventy, 



