80 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 
in the soil than it was growing previously. If anything, 
raise it slightly higher, and stem-roots will then be less likely 
to occur. The subsequent cultivation is the same as for 
pot-grown plants, but greater care must be observed in water- 
ing during the winter months. Watering then is not often 
necessary more than once in ten days, or even a fortnight, 
when sufficient should be given in a tepid state to saturate 
the whole mass of soil. In early spring, when the roots 
become more active, more frequent waterings will be re- 
quired, and at each time a stimulant should be given, 
varying liquid manure with a top-dressing of an approved 
artificial fertiliser. In America, the field cultivation of the 
plants for benches is practised universally, and great pains 
are taken to have the soil in a rich, workable condition at 
the time of planting in the open. In the previous autumn, 
the ground is manured liberally and dug 9r ploughed ; it 
is left in this condition until early in the spring, when it is 
again worked thoroughly previous to the planting. Plant- 
ing takes place when all danger of frost is over, and the 
young plants, usually from 3-inch pots, are planted 15 to 18 
inches apart between the rows, and to to 12 inches in the 
row. They receive constant attention in the way of stop- 
ping and watering until they are lifted in the months of 
July and August and planted in their winter quarters on 
benches under glass. This method is being practised in this 
country, with good results; but the Carnations are not 
planted out until the beginning of May, when they are 
bushy plants in 4 or 5 inch pots, having been previously 
well hardened in cold frames, 
