THE CARNATION. 51 



the tops of the sticks. If you would preserve the 

 beauty of a Carnation untarnished,, it should not be 

 suffered to have a single drop of rain. Those caps 

 and glasses may be put over the Carnations for ten 

 or twelve days before they are placed on the stage. 



Several ladies and gentlemen that do not use 

 stages, are in the habit of placing them in the front 

 of their green-houses, in the absence of their cus- 

 tomary plants, which at this season are set in the 

 open air. This appears to me an excellent situation, 

 if they are allowed air enough, not only because 

 they are sheltered from the rain and sun, but be- 

 cause they are more out of the reach of the grubs, 

 snails, and ear-wigs, provided they do not put them 

 there sooner, nor keep them longer, than is neces- 

 sary. The same remark applies with no less force 

 to the stage. Do not, then, let the general health 

 of your plants be endangered or injured, for the sake 

 of preserving the blossoms unhurt. 



When placed on the stage, they should have the 

 benefit of the morning sun till about nine or ten 



o'clock, according to the intense heat of its rays 



D 2 



