50 THE CARNATION. 



though different lengths are required, in the shape 

 of a common wire skewer, is usually fixed to the 

 stick ; one end, which is twisted into the form of a 

 hook or head of a shepherd's crook, is placed round 

 the bottom of the pod ; and the other end, which is 

 sharpened, is forced with a pair of wire nippers into 

 the stick. This may be easily effected after a trial 

 or two. 



Wire, proper for this use, may be had at any of 

 the wire-shops ; there are three or four shops of this 

 description near the Monument, in the city of Lon- 

 don, where they manufacture them ready for use, at 

 so much a hundred. 



PROTECTION OF THE BLOSSOMS FROM 

 RAIN, &c. 



THE moment the Carnations begin to unfold their 

 blossoms, they should be covered from the rain and 

 scorching sun; they should either be covered with 

 small glasses or with paper caps, in the shape of an 

 umbrella, with a tube in the centre, to be fixed on 



