70 
CULTURE OF THE GENUS DIANTHUS. 
at the bottom, to facilitate the escape of the water and prevent the danger of 
stagnation. 
11. The most proper time for potting is the middle of March : never defer it 
much longer or the plants will not flower freely. Potting is done in the common 
way, placing three in each pot. 
12. Be careful that the plants be placed no deeper in the pots than they were in 
those they previously occupied. 
13. After being potted, place them in an open airy part of the garden, and form 
an arch of hoops over them to preserve them from cold winds, dashing rains, and 
frosty nights. But when the weather is fine they must be constantly exposed. 
14. Water them regularly, in this situation, with soft water, from a fine rose 
watering-pot. 
15. When the flower-stems are grown eight or ten inches high, tie them to neat 
sticks, for, being very brittle, they are liable to be broken by the wind. When the 
stems are about sixteen or eighteen inches high, remove the pots to the situation 
where they are intended to flower. 
16. The stage on which they are placed for flowering should be composed of 
boards, raised about a foot from the ground, broad enough to hold either a single or 
double row of pots, according to the option of the cultivator ; over this stage an 
awning must be raised, so that in case of rain the plants may be protected, or the 
colours will run and the beauty of the flowers spoiled. 
17. When the buds are all formed, thin out all the small ones, never leaving 
more than ten nor less than four to flower ; and let these be the finest and most 
promising buds. 
18. To prevent the buds bursting on one side, which is apt to be the case with 
many sorts, by which means the compact and graceful form of the flower is destroyed, 
tie a little bit of thread round the middle of the calyx, or a small narrow slip of 
bladder which may be long enough to lap over and be fastened with a little gum- 
water ; also, with a sharp penknife, in some cases, cut the calyx equally on every 
side, but this last system is apt to give a looseness to the flower, which partially 
destroys its beauty. 
19. When the flowers begin to open, they must be sheltered 
from the sun by means of strong paper covers, as the figure : 
these must be about twelve inches diameter, painted white 
or green, and formed like an umbrella, to throw off the rain ; 
each should have a square tin tube at the top that would allow 
the stick to which the stem is tied to pass through as far as 
is necessary. This tube should be about two inches long, 
and have a small hole bored through one of its sides, like the 
figure, that it may be fixed by a nail to any part of the stick 
required. When, however, a great many flowers advance into 
bloom, it is better to cover them with an awning. 
20. In the beginning of August they will be in full flower ; when they begin to 
expand, a collar must be placed round the bottom of the flower to support it. 
