is kept thoroughly worked, watering will 
hardly be necessary; they are great drink- 
ers, however, and respond quickly to 
water. Always water after sundown. 
There is no finer garden flower, but 
the finest specimens are shown if the 
spike is cut when the first bud opens 
and allowed to develop in the house; 
every bud on the stalk will open and 
the richest colorings result; this is also 
a benefit to the bulb. Do not cut too 
much foliage to the detriment of the bulb. 
Clip off any withered blooms, so as 
to force strength back into the bulb. 
A great many varieties do extremely 
well under glass and any one having a 
greenhouse should by all means force 
some of those varieties marked with an 
asterisk, allowing from twelve to thirteen 
weeks from planting to blooming time, 
with a temperature of about fifty-five 
degrees or in carnation beds. 
Bulbs should be dug as soon as the 
stocks turn brown or are cut down by 
frosts; cut stalks close to the bulbs. If 
possible, allow to cure in the sun or in a 
cool, dry place, then, removing old corm, 
store in trays or baskets, in a temperature 
as near forty degrees Fahrenheit as 
possible. 
