338 Cultivation of the Carnation and Picotee. 



very hot and dry, the glasses should be watered over profuse- 

 ly two or three times within the first ten days, to induce a 

 moist atmosphere beneath the glasses: after this period it will 

 be necessary to take them off early in the morning, for a few 

 minutes only, turning the glasses upside down to air the 

 plants once in five or six days, just as it might be found 

 requisite to water them, as before ; and previous to watering 

 scratch the tops of the pots over with a dinner-fork, if hard 

 and green, or if the soil be cracked. It would be also as 

 well to rake out the glass mark, and stir the soil an inch or 

 so deep on the border round the pots ; and water it well, the 

 better to make the glasses as air-tight as possible, by pressing 

 them gently over the pots, as in the first instance. These 

 are very important matters, and require particular care in their 

 observance ; for much will depend on the discernment and 

 prudence of the cultivator. As soon as root-fibres have been 

 formed, as will be indicated by the additional verdure and 

 growth of the plants, the glasses should be placed over them 

 very lightly, in order that more air be admitted. When they 

 become tolerably well rooted, the glasses being no longer 

 necessary should be entirely removed. It seldom happens, 

 however, that all the plants under the same glass push their 

 roots at the *'same time, some being for the most part a few 

 days, or even a week, more forward than the rest, as will be 

 perceived by their putting forth fresh leaves. For their 

 winter quarters choose a warm south aspect ; under each 

 corner of a frame place a brick ; strew the bottom four inches 

 deep with coal cinders ; upon this place the pots as near as 

 possible to the glass. In dry weather give them air by 

 drawing off the lights ; and when it proves wet give them air 

 from behind by adding another brick ; if the weather be 

 severe discontinue watering, and shut the frame close down ; 

 at night cover them with matting. When the weather proves 

 mild, with south-westerly rains, let the plants be exposed to 

 it for half an hour, five or six times during the winter, always 

 being careful not to shut the frames close down until they 

 are perfectly dry, as otherwise the wet will hang upon them, 

 and spot and mildew the leaves. 



