THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
which, consequently, never can make healthy plants. If the layers 
are taken off at an early period in the autumn, and judiciously 
potted in sale pots, the roots will show themselves all round the 
pots in the spring. If this is not the case, I advise you on no 
account to buy such a plant, for it will not succeed. The absence 
of plenty of root-fibres is indicative of some obstruction or unhealthy 
condition of the plant, which will not exhibit its consequences until 
warm weather arrives, when it will dry up and die, or at least lead on 
a miserably stunted existence. 
Carnations will look healthy, and deceive the grower during the 
whole winter, when there is scarcely any root at all, and therefore the 
rule I have laid down cannot be considered too strict. If you can 
get a nurseryman or some experienced friend to point out the sorts 
which are most hardy and productive, and can purchase well-rooted 
layers, you have the best chance of success, and may proceed with 
some hope in your labours. 
The next question is, shall the flowers be grown in pots or in the 
open ground ‘t The first plan is generally adopted with first-rate, 
and often with common flowers ; but I think the practice is of very 
questionable utility. The advantages offered by pot-culture are, 
the economizing the soil, which is often very artificial in its cha- 
racter ; the exclusion of wire-worms, which can of course be effected 
more certainly in a pot than in a flower-bed ; and the ease with 
which layering can be performed, and other manipulations in reference 
to the plants carried on. 
Now, there are disadvantages which must be balanced against 
these. Pots are in constant need of watching, lest they should 
become too dry ; and yet, on the other hand, if often watered, the 
soil is reduced to an innutritive mass, requiring liquid manure to 
restore its properties ; nor do the plants ever acquire the vigour in 
pots which they gain in the ground. As to soil, any good loam will 
grow Carnations well, and a small bed may easily be made of any 
materials which it is thought desirable to use. Wire-worms may be 
carefully searched for ; or, what is best, never plant in soil which is 
pestered with them. To the novice I would recommend planting in 
beds, in rows two yards apart, to allow of easy access ; and the 
plants a foot from each other. 
The Carnation is very impatient of much wet, and a well-drained 
spot should, therefore, be chosen. For the same reason deep 
planting must be avoided. With these precautions, you may expect 
your efforts to be successful, and I hope, if you are induced to make 
a trial this year, you will rejoice iu the beauties you have succeeded 
in raising. 
If you prefer the pot system, let the pots be very large, 
with good drainage. Oyster shells are excellent for this purpose. 
When your plants begin to spindle up, let sticks be at once 
applied, and keep the shoots tied to them as the growth proceeds. 
Those who grow Carnations for the first time are amazed at the 
length ol stick required by some of them. Never use one less than 
four feet out of the ground, and I have known some kinds exceed 
that height. II' you intend to exhibit, a multitude of rules must be 
March. 
