THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



and split the base of the cutting with a knife as shown at /. Have in readiness 

 for them well-drained 5 or 6-inch pots, filled with the compost recommended for 

 layering, making this firm and surfacing with sharp sand ; then insert five or six cuttings 

 round the sides, fixing them firmly. A frame on a nearly exhausted hot-bed is a good 

 place for rooting carnation cuttings, and in this they ought to be kept somewhat close, 

 shaded from bright sunshine and watered whenever the soil gives signs of becoming 

 dry. After they are rooted admit light and air freely, subsequent treatment being 

 similar to that advised for layered plants. 



Seeds. — Carnations are very easily raised from seeds, and well-grown plants afford 

 large quantities of single and double flowers for cutting for house and vase decoration. 

 New varieties of value are raised from home-saved seeds obtained by artificially fertilising 

 the flowers, judgment being exercised in the selection of parents suitable for the 

 purpose (see pages 29 to 34). Once fertilising is not enough, it must be a daily 

 proceeding for about a week. 



April is the best month to sow seeds, as then there is sufficient natural warmth, 

 which is preferable to artificial heat, to start the seeds strongly and quickly. Sow 

 in pans of sandy soil, covering lightly and placing in a close hand-light frame or pit. 

 Cover the pans with squares of glass, shade heavily, keep the soil uniformly moist and 

 admit more light and air directly the seedlings appear. Sturdy seedlings thus raised 

 are placed singly in 2^-inch pots and kept in frames till strongly established, then either 

 transferred to larger pots or planted out for flowering. 



Growing for Exhibition. 



As already stated, pot culture is usually resorted to for producing blooms of the 

 highest quality for winning prizes, as the plants are then under control and can be 

 sheltered from winds and rains. Comparatively few plants are shown in pots, perfect 

 blooms being sought for showing in a cut state. 



The plants are kept clean and healthy in cold frames during the winter, and trans- 

 ferred to the final pots early in the spring. A suitable mixture consists of three parts 

 of the best fibrous loam, carefully freed of wire worms, to one each of leaf soil and dried 

 cow manure made fine, adding fine mortar rubbish, a sprinkling of bone dust and { sharp 

 sand, prepared some time before wanted, and in a pleasantly damp state when used, not 

 wet, as firm potting is imperative. 



Towards the end of March and during the first fortnight in April is the time to shift 



