CLOVE CARNATION. 167 



iVom the rigour of winter. During this dead 

 season, they will require water occasionally, ap- 

 plied from the spout of a small pot, so as not to 

 wet the leaves; because it may happen that if 

 shut up when the leaves are wet, they may suffer 

 by damp or mould. For the same reason the 

 plants should be kept free from dead leaves, and 

 have the surface of the pots now and then stirred 

 up, and, if need be, covered with a sprinkling of 

 sand. 



About the middle of March, and especially if 

 the weather be inviting, preparations should be 

 made for shifting the plants into their flowering 

 pots. Any time between this and before the 

 tenth of April, is a good season. The ordinary 

 sized pots for this purpose, are those called six- 

 teens ; and if the plants are strong, even twelves 

 are not too large. These sizes are chosen in 

 order that full room may be had for layering. 

 The potting-board and compost (which will be 

 described presently) being ready, first put the 

 draining shells or shards over the hole in the 

 bottom of the pot; cover these with a handful 



