24 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 
always produced by plants grown in flower-pots. This 
system of culture is practised by all successful exhibitors, 
but not, as some allege, because the Carnation is a tender 
plant which is unable to thrive in the open air. Any 
amateur, with the least knowledge of gardening, knows 
that most kinds of flowers are improved by cultivation 
under glass, and it is much easier to keep them free from 
insect pests, For house culture it is customary to pot up 
the layers in September and October, in order that they 
get well established before the winter. They are generally 
wintered in garden frames. The lights must be kept rather 
close for a week after potting up the layers; if they are 
tilted 2 inches or so at the back, that will be sufficient. 
In September, if the sun is powerful, a little shade may be 
necessary, and care should be taken to prevent the plants 
from suffering any check in any stage of growth. When it 
is seen that the plants have made some fresh roots, air may 
be admitted freely, and, after two or three weeks, the glass 
lights may be removed altogether in fine weather. Water- 
ing must be done with extra care. Soon after repotting, an 
application of water should be made, by means of a fine rose 
water-pot, to settle the soil well about the roots ; afterwards 
it must be used sparingly and carefully without a rose, as 
wetting the leaves may be injurious and cause “spot.” 
During severe or prolonged frost in winter, it is well to pro- 
tect the plants by mats thrown over the glass lights, although 
they do not suffer much even from prolonged frosts. 
About the first week in March is a good time for 
repotting. A sufficient number of clean pots should be 
got ready, and clean potsherds for drainage. The soil also 
ought to be in a fit condition ; that is, of a medium degree 
