48 PICTORIAL PRACTICAL CARNATION GROWING. 
them, placing a large crock, hollow side downwards, over the 
drainage hole, and sprinkling a few finely broken pieces of soft brick 
or flower pot over it. A thin layer of half decayed turf or clean 
moss should be placed over the crocks, and then may come the 
compost. This should consist solely of fibrous, sandy loam, pulled 
to pieces with the fingers and mixed with one-third of its bulk of 
coarse sand. If used fairly dry such a compost may be firmly 
compacted, which will provide a root run suitable to the production 
of sturdy plants. The cuttings should be inserted to the basal 
leaves, spreading the roots well out, and taking care to leave 
sufficient space for applying water. 
Strong cuttings frequently assume a tree-like growth, as shown at 
U (Fig. 21, p. 49). They should be staked and encouraged, as they 
generally yield quantities of bloom. Should a cutting after potting 
become weak and spindly, as shown at V, its top should be pinched 
out with the finger and thumb, taking care to leave at least four 
good leaves. From the axils of these young shoots will arise, 
and the plant ultimately become a sturdy specimen. Green fly must 
be watched for at this stage, and promptly checked by the appli- 
cation of tobacco powder. 
When the roots of the young plants in 3-inch pots commence 
’ to show round the ball ot soil, repotting should be carried out 
without delay. The next shift should be into the flowering pot, 
PROPAGATION BY PIPINGS OR CUTTINGS. FIG. 21 (NEXT PAGE).— 
POTTING ROOTED CUTTINGS. 
P, a rootless and useless cutting: u, base, callusless and rootless; v, stem 
sound, but inclined to yellowness; w,top,no growth having been made 
since insertion, 
Q, a blacklegged cutting: wx, stem, black and dead; y, top, stationary ; z, 
point where mould usually appears and causes damping off—such 
a cutting should be removed as soon as noticed, 
R, a vigorous rooted cutting of a Pink-like border Picotee, lifted and potted in 
a 3-inch pot: a, drainage; 8, soil; ce, roots; d. space for holding water. 
S, an ordinary Carnation cutting, rooted and potted into a 23-inch pot: e, 
drainage ; f, soil; g, roots; 4, space for holding water ; i, top growth. 
T, an ordinary Carnation cutting with the leaves shortened at the time of 
insertion, rooted! and potted into a 24-inch pot: /, drainage; 4, soil; J, 
roots; m, space for holding water ; 7, top growth. 
U, a plant propagated from a cutting assuming a tree-like style of growth, 
to which there is a tendency in plants propagated from cuttings: 9, 
stem-like basal part; p, side growths, pushing from the axils of the 
leaves; qg, point where the flower stem springs. 
V,a young plant from a cutting having a tendency to spindle: 7, point of 
topping to induce back growth. 
W, a young plant, V, pushing growth after stopping: s, young shoots which 
are usually convenient for layering. 
