Page:The Botanical Magazine, Volume 2 (1788).djvu/7

 proportions, is found to be a proper compost for the Carnation. Care should be taken that no worms, grubs, or other insects, be introduced with the dung; to prevent this, the dung, when sifted fine, should be exposed to the rays of the sun, on a hot summer's day, till perfectly dry, and then put by in a box for use; still more to increase the luxuriance of the plants, water it in the spring and summer with an infusion of sheep's dung.

The Carnation is propagated by seeds, layers, and pipings; new varieties can only be raised from seed, which, however, is sparingly produced from good flowers, because the petals are so multiplied as nearly to exclude the parts of the fructification essential to their production.

"The seed must be sown in April, in pots or boxes, very thin, and placed upon an East border.

"In July, transplant them upon a bed in an open situation, at about four inches asunder; at the end of August transplant them again upon another bed, at about ten inches asunder, and there let them remain till they flower: shade them till they have taken root, and in very severe weather in winter, cover the bed with mats over some hoops.

"The following summer they will flower, when you must mark such as you like, make layers from, and pot them." Ellis's Gardener's Pocket Calendar.

The means of increasing these plants by layers and pipings, are known to every Gardener.

Such as wish for more minute information concerning the culture, properties, divisions, or varieties, of this flower, than the limits of our Work will admit, may consult Miller's Gard. Dict. or the Florists Catalogues.