262 
CULTURE OF THE CARNATION. 
thick of soil, well trodden down, and raised nearly as high as the top 
of the frame. Next prepare the floor on which the plants are to be 
placed, first by laying a good quantity of lime scraps, and on the top 
of that, about six inches of coal-ashes, on which the plants are to 
stand. This floor will effectually prevent worms from penetrating, 
and also add much to the warmth and cleanliness of the plants. 
Elevating the frame, also, is far preferable to setting it on the 
ground, as it is not so liable to rot, and the more the plants are 
raised above the level of the surrounding earth, by a thick floor of 
ashes, &c. the more easily will they be kept from damp. The frame 
being thus prepared, remove the plants from the arched hoops, and 
place them on the floor of ashes, covering them with glasses in rainy 
or frosty weather. Carnations require very similar treatment in 
winter to Auriculas. They will bear a strong frost, if dry, without 
receiving material injury; but if the plants are wet, they usually 
suffer. 
Great care must be taken not to shut them up too close if wet, or 
they are very apt to become infested with the mildew. When this 
is perceived, cut off the infected parts, or remove the diseased plants 
altogether from amongst the others, for the disease will rapidly 
spread. In consequence of wet and hazy weather, the soil in the 
pots will often become green with moss on the top ; when this is the 
case, stir up the soil carefully about half an inch deep, and sprinkle 
a little coarse sand upon it. This operation should be performed as 
often as is requisite. Propagating carnations by pipings is not to be 
depended upon, although some sorts grow well, yet rarely more than 
one-half of the pipings that are put in ever strike root; but where 
the shoots are not long enough for laying, or are broken off by acci¬ 
dent, piping is very necessary. 
Prepare a slight hotbed in an eastern aspect, and as soon as the 
heat is moderate, lay on about six inches thickness of light mould, 
sifted finely. No piping should have less than two or three com¬ 
plete joints. Take off the cutting horizontally just below the second 
or third joint, and merely cut off the leaves from the joint that is to 
be inserted into the soil, but leave the upper ones entire, both in pi¬ 
pings and layers. After giving the earth of the bed a moderate wa¬ 
tering, place on a hand or bell-glass to mark the boundaries in which 
the pipings are to be planted. Plant the pipings not more than an 
inch distant from each other, and half an inch deep, give them a 
gentle watering, to fix the soil closely about them, let them remain 
uncovered until the leaves are dry, then place on the glasses and 
press them gently down to prevent the admission of air. Give the 
