08 PICTORIAL PRACTICAL CARNATION GROWING. 
pots up to the rim in ashes or soil, and layer into mounds of 
prepared compost placed at convenient distances around, or into 
small pots, just as in the case of plants growing out of doors. In 
every case the preparation of the layer is the same. 
By one or other of these various processes we increase our stock 
of Carnations. The parent feeds the young plant through the 
partially severed stem until such time as it has roots of its own. 
There should be plenty of these by the end of September, and when 
signs of central growth in the layer appear it may be taken that 
roots are present. These will mostly form on the tongue, and in 
severing the young plant from the parent stem a sharp knife may 
be passed through the latter close to the tongue, L, Fig. 26. 
The layer is now a plant with an entirely separate existence from 
that of its parent. What shall be done with it to ensure its future 
welfare? Where shall it pass the winter? These are important 
questions, and merit deliberation. 
In growing hardy plants for exhibition purposes it is recognised 
that in certain stages they may be subjected to treatment which will 
rob them of a measure of their hardiness. This is the case with 
Chrysanthemums, and it is also the case with Carnations. The 
defence of the exhibitor is frank—he does not grow the plants for 
the object of improving their constitutions, he grows them with the 
object of getting the finest possible flowers from them, This being 
admitted, the reason for growing Carnations under glass in winter is 
PROPAGATION BY LAYERING. FIG. 26 (NEXT PAGE).-—LIFTING ROOTED 
LAYERS FOR PLANTING OR POTTING. POTTING SINGLY AND IN 
PAIRS. PLACING IN A FRAME FOR WINTERING. 
L, lifting a rooted layer: ¢, soil removed over the layer stem; d, point of 
cutting through the stem between the layer and the plant; ¢, trowel 
thrust by the side of the layer so as to lift the (new) plant with the 
mass of roots as nearly as possible intact, and with a ball of earth round 
them ; /, top, central growth made, indicating rooting, and from which 
a flower stem pushes in the succeeding season; g, side growths pushing, 
called grass, and from which cuttings or layers are made in the succes- 
sional year. 
M, lifted layer ee singly intoa 3-inch pot or even larger, according to 
strength : a i, layer of moss or rotted leaves; j, rougher 
parts of the soil ; ae ra roots, spread out evenly, if lifted without 
soil; m, space for hélding water. 
NN, potting layers in pairs into a 43-inch pot: », drainage; 0, layer of moss 
or partially decayed leaves ; py, rougher parts of the compost; gq, soil; 7, 
layers placed on opposite sides of the pot; s, space for holding water. 
O, section of a frame for wintering plants: ¢, ground level; w, rough ashes, 
surfaced with finer, placed so as to bring the plants well up to the 
light ; v, pots stood on ashes ; w, pots plunged in ashes to the rim; 2, 
growth space; y, light; z, ashes or other material placed against the 
sides and ends of the frame in severe weather. 
