224 WINDOW GARDENING. 



leaves nearest the root, leaving only those on the two or three upper joints. 

 Stir yp the soil about an inch, and fill up the pot with light, rich soil^ 

 then take the shoot in the finger and thumb of the left hand, and bend it up- 

 wards, inserting a sharp knife below the third joint from the top; cut upwards 

 through the centre of that joint to about half or three-quarters an inch above 

 it; then cut off the tongue directly under the joint, taking care not to cut it, as 

 it will not make roots so well ; the future roots will spring from this joint; 

 any injury will prevent their formation. The incised shoot must then be gently 

 pressed into the soil, taking great care not to break or crack it at the joint. 



As there is considerable danger of breaking the shoots on account of their 

 brittleness, it is well to place the plants in the hot sun, and withhold water; 

 this will cause them to wilt, and become more limber; and as soon as the layer 

 is well fastened into the ground by a thick hairpin, leave the point of the 

 shoot well exposed. The plant must be well watered and set in the shade. 



Not more than a quarter of an inch of soil should be covered over the joint; 

 and none of the leaves should be covered, because they will decay and commu- 

 nicate it to the shoot, which will " damp off," as the gardeners term it. 



Tf the plants are kept moist and shaded from the noonday sun, they will be 

 rooted in three or four weeks. Then they can be cut off from the parent plant, 

 ■with about half an inch of the stem which connects them to it, and planted in 

 rich soil. 



Carnations are more hardy than many greenhouse plants, and require much 

 air, and a cool atmosphere until the flower buds begin to form. The flower-pod 

 or calyx, when nearly its full size, is apt to burst, letting out the petals at one 

 side, which presents a loose, ragged appearance, and spoils the circular symme- 

 try of the flower. 



This must be prevented by tying the calyx around with a bit of green wool or 

 thread. Some make a ring from a piece of cardboard, and slip it over the bud, 

 so it will keep the petals in regular form when the calyx bursts. Propagation 

 by cuttings is more difiicult than by layer, as they do not strike well without 

 artificial heat. If soaked in water for twenly-four hours, they will root more 

 quickly. A celebrated Carnation grower states that the chance of obtaining a 

 hand.some Carnation from seed is as one to a hundred. 



Manure water will often force flowers upon barren plants. 



LIST OF VARIETIES OF CARNATIONS FOR PARLOR OR GREENHOUSE GULTDBB. 



Memontant or Monthly Carnations. 

 Astoria, white ground, with yellow, red and scarlet colors. 

 Bozzaris, blush mottled purple, clove scented. 

 Brightness, large bright scarlet, very double, clove fragrance. 

 Canary, yellow ground, slightly tinged rose. 

 Darkness, very dark crimson. 

 Defiance, deep crimson, large and fine. 



