896 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER^. 



PROPAGATING HERBACEOUS PLANTS BY DIVIDING 

 THEIR ROOTS. 



Many of the more rare herbaceous plants, which do not 

 readily perfect seeds in this country, or are short-lived with us, 

 may be prolonged by dividing their roots, either by making 

 cuttings of the stronger roots of some species, or by dividing 

 the roots, having a portion of their crowns or the rudiments 

 of the stalks attached to them. In either case, they should be 

 carefully separated and planted in a bed prepared as above 

 for cuttings, and covered with a hand-glass until they have 

 taken root. 



florists' flowers. — CARNATIONS IN POTS. 



As the stalks of the carnations in pots advance, they should 

 be neatly and securely supported, by being tied to neat sticks, 

 or wire rods, to prevent their flower-stem from being broken. 

 The mould in the pots should be occasionally stin-ed upon the 

 surface, and part of it removed, and a fresh surfacing of 

 mould applied. They should be regularly supplied with water 

 every evening; and where it is intended to have a few fine 

 large flowers, all those which issue from the side-stalks should 

 be dispkiced. The plants should be shaded from the full sun 

 either with mats, or placed in a situation sufficiendy shaded, 

 but by no means under the shade or drip of trees. 



CARNATIONS IN THE FLOWER BORDERS. 



As the flower-stalks advance, they should be supported with 

 neat sticks, to prevent their being broken, and the surface 

 often stirred up with the hoe and rake round them, which will 

 encourage the production of strong grass, and afford additional 

 strength to the flower-stems. In dry weather, they should be 

 occasionally watered, according to the state of the weather. 

 Some recommend thinning out the flower-buds of the border 

 carnations, with a view to have the remaining ones finer ; but 

 if the ground has been properly made for them, and if they 

 be at this time frequently watered, we see little reason for this 



