THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
17 
have winds cold enough to affect the plants from that quarter. I 
only shut up the east side and north, when the wind is very cold. 
The lights are open every day when fine on both sides. This then is the 
kind of pit I use, which I consider is far better than any other kind 
of pit or frame used, as you are not only able to keep up a thorough 
circulation of air to the plants in all weathers, but it admits air at 
the same time to the roots, which I think very essential to the health 
of the plants in the winter time. I think I can say almost more 
than any other carnation grower can, that is, I lost but one plant 
out of five hundred pair all through the trying weather of last 
winter. The grand thing I believe in wintering carnations, is giving 
them all the air you can, and keeping them as hardy as possible, 
which this kind of frame enables you to do, instead of having them 
stewed up in the cold kind of frames that are generally used. The 
soil I fill my pit with, is one-third compost, one-third road scrapings, 
and one-third sweepings of the gravel walks, well mixed up before- 
hand.' I put in the soil about a fortnight before I take up the layers, 
to give the soil time to set ; I then take up my layers and plant them 
in the soil, instead of potting them, which not only saves expense 
of pots and time, but I find the plants more healthy and not so liable 
to mildew. Before planting, I prune each plant to a clear stem, 
removing every pair of leaves and all the lateral buds and shoots, 
until the foliage will stand quite clear of the soil in the pit, about 
half an inch above it. I ought to have mentioned, that about the 
middle of September, when my layers are rooted, I cut them off at 
the corresponding half of the joint to that from which the young 
roots proceed ; about the second week in October, I take them up, 
when I find most of them rooted from that part also. I at once 
plant them in rows in the pit, about five inches apart each way, 
planting them quite firm in the soil ; when done, I close the lights 
and the space between the pit and frame, and keep them close 
for a week without water. Then I give them a good soaking and 
a little air, shading for a few days if the weather is bright and 
sunny. 
The kind of pit I have described answers two purposes, that of 
wintering the carnation and also blooming other low plants under in 
the summer. 
Others may find a greater convenience in a variation ; that of 
course has nothing to do with the plan which I hold to be the best 
for wintering the carnation. 
All I would impress on carnation growers, may be thus summed 
up : Place your plants under a glazed roof perfectly open on all 
sides, and a proper height from the ground, attend to watering, and 
in very severe cutting winds or in drifts of snow or sleet, enclose the 
sides for a short time as before described, and 1 feel convinced that 
any cultivator will be fully compensated for the trouble or expense 
he may have been at. 
January. 
2 
