HOW TO GROW OARNATIONS 75 
rooted, then three courses are open in dealing with them. One may 
leave the little plants to bloom just as they are (and this is an 
excellent way of getting a big supply of flowers); take them up, 
potting each into a pot 24 or 3 inches in diameter, keeping them in 
a cold frame during the winter and planting out in March; or take 
up the layers and plant them directly in the bed or border where 
they are to bloom. When one has to deal with cold and heavy soil 
the safest plan is to pot up the plants and winter them in the frame. 
Carnations need careful 
staking, or their appear- 
ance will be spoilt; the 
wire coil stakes, which do 
away with the necessity for 
tying, are admirable. 
Carnations from 
Seed. — Carnations are 
easily raised from seed, and 
this 1s a fascinating way of 
growing them. If good 
seed is purchased, quite 70 
per cent. or 80 per cent. of 
double flowers will be pro- 
duced and a great variety 
of colouring, while there is 
always the chance that 
something good may turn 
up among them. Should 
a really good variety appear then it must be increased by means of 
layering. Seed is sown in April in boxes of sandy sifted soil placed 
in a frame or shady spot out of doors. As soon as the seedlings are 
1 inch or so high they may either be transplanted into other boxes, 
of course giving them more room, or, if one’s time for gardening is 
limited, they can be planted directly in a sunny border previously 
prepared by digging. Here, at 12 inches apart, they may remain 
until September ; towards the end of this month they are planted in 
the bed or border where they are to flower. Anyone possessing a 
heated greenhouse should sow the seed in February, when even 
finer plants will be obtained. 
The Best Varieties.—Agnes Sorrel, maroon with purple 
margin; Anne Boleyn, salmon; Benbow, buff; Bendigo, purplish 
blue ; Heather Bell, yellow with rose edge ; Lady Hermione, salmon 
pink; Lady Hindlip, crimson scarlet ; George Maquay, white ; Mrs. 
Eric Hambro, white; Mrs. Nicholson, pink; Isinglass, scarlet ; 
Dundee Scarlet, rich bright red ; Duchess of Fife, pink ; Old Clove, 
crimson; Mrs. Kearley, rose pink ; Raby Castle, rich pink ; Sund- 
ridge, scarlet; Mephisto and Uriah Pike, dark crimson ; Comet, 
crimson ; Hildegarde and Trojan, white; The Cid, yellow ground 
Picotee ; Goldfinder, apricot shade. 
HOW CARNATIONS ARE LAYERED. 
