82 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 
sufficiently high to admit of extra meshes being added 
as these are required. 
USE OF MANURES 
The application of natural and artificial manures is one 
requiring an intelligent observation of the requirements of 
the plants. Soils vary greatly in degree of fertility ; but, 
no matter how rich in plant food a soil. may be, the limited 
quantity a pot will contain, compared with the roots a 
healthy plant possesses, causes it to become exhausted. 
The Carnation being a gross-feeding plant, I look upon 
the careful use of stimulants as one of the principal items in 
its successful culture. In many instances, the food is not 
afforded until the plants are in a starving condition, and 
they are then unable to make good use of rich food sud- 
denly applied. The cultivator should commence early with 
weak applications of soot and manure water, gradually 
increasing the amount as the plants grow stronger and 
older. Considerable care must be exercised in applying 
chemical manures, and some knowledge of their effects on 
plant growth is necessary, much harm being done by a too 
constant use of these manures, especially during the winter 
months, At one time I recommended that manures should 
be withheld during the winter and flowering periods; but 
as this kind of Carnation is perpetual in its flowering, so it 
is perpetual in its need of plant food, and, even during the 
winter months, weak stimulants given at least once a week 
are beneficial, and they do not affect the lasting qualities or 
colours of the flowers. Nitrogen is contained in varying 
quantities in all natural manures, such as pigeon, hen, deer, 
