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166 CARNATIONS. 
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or fifteen inches above the ground: this 
ftage fhould be very ftrongly fupported, 
in order to fuftain the imraenfe weight of 
the pots, without danger of giving way ; 
the fupporters of this platform fhould 
Hand in {hallow leaden or earthen veffels, 
filled with water, to prevent the accefs of 
earwigs, which are deftruftive enemies to 
the bloffoms of Carnations : they fecrete 
I ► 
themfelves, commonly during night, in 
the calyx, and foon commence their 
depredations, by biting off and devouring 
the lower ends, or claws, of the petals, 
which, of courfe, will caufe them to drop 
out, and thereby disfigure the flower. 
The ftands, or refervoirs, fhould be 
broad enough to allow an intermediate 
fpace of water, three or four inches wide, 
between their fides and the fupporters 
placed in the centre of each. Earwigs 
will, neverthelefs, be frequently found 
amongft 
