Cultivation of the Carnation and Picotee. 351 



kept dry. Our mode is to set out the plants early in October, 

 or earlier if the layers are well rooted, in rows, 6 inches apart, 

 and about the same distance in the rows. As soon as very 

 cold frosts occur, we cover them with sashes, and when the 

 ground begins to freeze, Ave cover the plants just so that the 

 tops of the leaves can be plainly seen, with dry leaves — dry, 

 for on this much depends. The sashes are then replaced, and 

 are not removed again till the middle of March, when they 

 are taken off, the leaves removed, and the plants aired every 

 fair day till they are transplanted to the flowering beds. In 

 this way we have had the best success. 



We have annexed an engraving to show the mode of lay- 

 ering the plants ; this should be done immediately, and with 

 the directions of the writer and the drawing, any amateur 

 with good judgment, can layer his plants with complete suc- 

 cess : — 



THE CARNATIOX. 



Although originally a British plant, the constitution of the 

 carnation has become so enfeebled by the improved cultiva- 

 tion it has undergone, that it is now scarcely able to stand 

 the winter. The most robust-looking plants are those grow- 

 ing on a very dry sandy soil, and it may be by some consid- 

 ered the most suitable medium ; but experience points to the 

 necessity for a richer soil, if the object be the raising of the 

 choicer and more delicate descriptions of carnation intended 

 for exhibition. They may be propagated either by seed, 

 piping, or layers ; if by the first method, they will require 

 two summers before they put forth their bloom, and even 

 then it is questionable whether more than one in a hundred 

 will be worth preserving. However, new varieties of the 

 carnation can be obtained only by means of seed ; and if 

 it be required to procure seed that is worth sowing, re- 

 course must be had to hybridizing, or artificial cross impreg- 

 nation ; for which purpose the produce of the very best sorts 

 only should be employed, and these crossed with the same 

 class of flowers ; as, for example, scarlet bizarres with scarlet 

 bizarres ; and on no account attempt a distinct cross between 

 bizarres and picotees, for the result will prove of no value 



