PERPETUAL-FLOWERING CARNATIONS IN POTS. 391 



Sprinkling, for once the middle of the ball gets dry it is difficult to get 

 it wet again. 



Should red spider appear, especially during the summer, spray 

 with spisol, taking care to get it to the underside of the foliage ; and 

 should the first appHcation not kill it, repeat again in about three or 

 four days. Thrips is also troublesome, and is encouraged, as with other 

 plants, by an over-dry atmosphere. It is most difficult to check once 

 it gets well hold of plants, but, like red spider, it can be killed by 

 frequently spraying with spisol. 



At the end of August, or early in September, the plants must be put 

 into their winter quarters. These should be well ventilated, light, and 

 airy houses, all the air possible being admitted to the house and 

 gradually reduced as the weather becomes wet, dull, and cold, but 

 no heat is necessary or advisable at first. 



Before taking the plants into their winter quarters they should 

 be cleaned from all dead leaves the surface of the soil cleaned, and 

 each plant staked with a firm bamboo cane about 2 to 3 ft. high, 

 according to the variety, and either looped up with raffia or with a 

 wire ring support. 



The houses should be thoroughly washed and cleaned out, and all 

 woodwork, if not fresh painted, should be washed with paraffin soap, 

 and every possible means taken to kill all fungus and insect life. The 

 stage covering should be taken out, and fresh covering put in ; or, at 

 least, it should be thoroughly washed if it is to be used a second time. 



A sprinkling of Carnation manure can be given at this time on the 

 surface and repeated once a month during the winter till March, when 

 it should be increased to once a fortnight. Use about half a teaspoonful 

 on a 24 pot. 



The pots should not be stood pot thick on the stages, but allow 

 always at least one inch to two and a half inches between the 

 pots, according to the variety and the size of the plant. 



The staging should be good yellow deal boards or slates, with 

 sufficient opening between the boards to allow the water to get away, 

 or, in the case of slates, a slight fall to run the water off. A covering 

 of shells or granite chips should be put over the stage, about half an 

 inch thick. These make good drainage, and, at the same time, hold 

 sufficient moisture to keep down red spider. Some growers prefer 

 no covering on the stage, but in hot, dry weather this is very liable to 

 cause red spider. During the winter months the stage should be kept 

 as dry as possible, otherwise the accumulation of water will encourage 

 the dreaded Carnation rust. 



There is a great difference of opinion as to the most suitable house 

 for Carnations, but recent years have proved that a good, light, airy 

 house, with the plants not too close to the glass, is the most suitable 

 built, if possible, with drip-bars to conduct the moisture or condensa- 

 tion to the side of the house instead of dripping over the plants. Good 

 wide glass, at least 18 inches, will help to give the maximum amount 

 of light, one of the most essential features of Carnation-growing. 



