A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

CAR 130 CAR
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advance, when sticks should be placed stage, by means of small neat rails,
for their support, which should be two
feet and a half or a yard long, either
round or square, but perfectly straight,
carried along lengthways of the stage,
just over the place where each row of
pots stand, and from which rails upan(ftaporiiig
from the bottom: sharpen- right sticks half an inch thick are caring
the lower end thrust one down by ried to another such rail above, placing
every plant, to which tie the flower- them at such distances that there be
stems in a neat manner, which repeat two to each pot, and so train^ the
as they advance in height. flower-stems up to the outside of the
In June, or beginning of July, the
plants will be considerably advanced
towards flowering, when those intended
for the stage should be placed there, to
sticks,
With respect to the cups of vrater
above mentioned, they are earthen or
leaden, about fifteen inches wide, and
prevent th'e depredation of slugs ; the three or four deep, having a hollow or
posts or supporters of the stage should
be surrounded at the bottom by small
cups of water; and by placing the
plants on a stage, having tlie platform
eighteen inches or two feet high, the
flowers are viewed to more advantage ;
vacancy in the middle sis inches wide,
like a socket to receive the posts ; and
is formed by a raised rim in the middle,
equal in height to that of the circumference,
and the hollow or socket so
formed as to receive the bottom of the
and if there is erected an awning over posts quite through to the ground ; and
the top, supported four feet above the the space between the outer and inner
platform, the flowers being screened rim is filled with water, so that each
from the heat of the mid-day sun, and post standing in the middle of such a
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defended from heavy rains,' are con- cistern, sufficiently guards the plants
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tinued much longer in beauty. against creeping insects, for they will
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Some Carnation stages' are con- not attempt to cross the water,
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structed upon very elegant plans, both For want of a covered stage to screen
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to render them useful and ornamental, the flowers, you may contrive a kind of
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But as to the general construction of small umbrellas or round spreading
a common Carnation stage, it is formed caps, either of tin or canvas, nine or
entirely of slight timber work, thus—a ten inches diameter, one for each plant;
boarded platform is erected eighteen having a socket in the middle to receive
inches or two feet in height, formed by the tops of the support-sticks ; those
two ranges of planks, to contain two umbrellas which are formed of tin are
rows of pots lengthways, supported on the best, but if you make them of canposts,
ransed either in one row along vas, first make little round frames,
under the'^middle of the platform, or in having the rim formed with slips of
two ranges, one on each side ; and lead, wire, cane, &c., the above width,
over is erected a roof of open work, with cross slips of the same materials;
five or sis feet high, to be covered with contriving a socket of lead or tin in the
painted canvas, supported either by a middle for the support-stick to go quite
range of neat posts on each side, or by through, as just observed ; and upon
one row ranging along the middle, be- these frames paste or sow canvas,
tween the planks of the platform, which which paint with oil-colour, that they
is the most eligible ; the roof may be may stand the weather ; either of
formed either archways or like the which covers are placed over the
ridge of a house, having the arches or flowers by running the support-stick up
spars about a foot asunder, and stiff'ened through the hole or socket in the mid-
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;
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by thin slips ofdeal, carried across them die, and resting the cap upon a piece
the whole length of the stage ; and the of wire put across the stick at such a
roof thus formed may be covered with height from the flower as to screen it
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coarse canvas painted white. effectually from the sun and rains.
All the wood work of the stage Give attention to continue to tie up
should be painted white, both to preserve
it from the weather, and give it
neatly the flower-stalks of the plants as
they advance in stature. When they
a more lively appearance. In con- are arrived at their full height, support
structing Carnation stages, some con- them erect at top with wires, having a
small eye or ring at one end, for the
trive sticks for the support of the |
flower-stalks, fixed to the work of the reception of the flower-stalk ; so put