The Garden Under Glass

52 THE GARDEN UNDER GLASS to 50° and a buoyant circulation of air are the conditions demanded. Now also a bamboo cane may be set to each plant to which to secure the spike, which as it heightens should be regularly tied, and to which also to sling the growths which are to be used for layering or for providing flowers if the plant is grown a second season. Towards the end of March feeding will be needed, and this may be conducted as for perpetuals. Later, as the flowers evolve, more room between the plants and a slight shading from bright sunshine must be given, or the flowers will lose colour. No spike should be allowed to bear more than three flowers or they will be too small. As the flowers fade or are used for cut purposes the plants may be stood outside to be layered at the earliest opportunity or to be grown on for a second year. The best plants—those most robust and free from disease and carrying the most growths—should at this time be selected for growing on and after being cleaned should be potted up at once, using a rich soil built up on the lines laid down for free carnations. A 9-inch pot such as is used for Chrysanthemums will afford a comfortable move from the 6-inch size. Eventually each growth should be given a separate bamboo cane, thin ones, 4 feet long, being bought for is. gd. to 2s. per 100. But as this staking would limit them to being put only in places with plenty of head room it would be sufficient for a few months to sling the growths together with a strand of raffia grass. Cool treatment, liberal feeding and plentiful supplies of water in the later stages will result in floriferous plants worthy of any greenhouse. The following are the varieties I have found most useful for inside culture :—Lady Hermione, Daffodil, King Arthur, Goldilocks, Cecilia, Agnes Sorrel, Cordelia,