102 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 
possible, and admit air freely. In other respects the treat- 
ment should be similar to that afforded in January. 
Perpetual-Flowering Varieties.—Continue to take slips 
or cuttings, and treat them as advised for January. Let the 
flowering plants be looked over, removing all dead or 
decaying flowers and leaves. The plants in bud should 
have the growths tied to neat sticks, painted green, of a 
tint as near as possible to that of the leaves; a dull green 
is not so obtrusive as a bright green. Pot on the plants as 
they require it and inure them very gradually to a lower 
temperature. They should not be repotted from the warm 
house, and placed at once in a cold one; it is better to 
return them to the warm house until they have made new 
roots. The temperatures should be the same as in January. 
Cut back slightly a number of year-old plants for growing 
on a second year, keeping them on the dry side until they 
commence to grow. 
MARCH 
Border Carnations and Picotees.—Assuming that the 
flower-pots are ready, and the compost prepared, re- 
potting may be proceeded with in favourable weather. 
See that the plants are quite free from green-fly before 
repotting them. Potting soil of the best quality is not 
easy to be obtained in some districts, but if the fibrous 
part of decayed turf is available, some of it may be placed 
over the ample drainage to prevent the finer particles of 
the compost from mixing with it. In fine weather, look 
over the beds of Carnations, and stir the surface soil, re- 
moving weeds ; fill up any blanks by utilising the reserve 
plants now in frames. Plant firmly, inserting each plant 
into the ground to the first pair of leaves. If the weather 
