20 Select Carnations, Picotees, and Pinks. 
III—PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS AND 
VAYERS: 
The two leading methods of perpetuating choice - 
varieties of Carnations true to name are by cuttings 
and layers. The latter is the universal method of 
propagating named varieties in the open ground, as 
it is the least troublesome and the more certain 
method of getting the highest percentage of rooted 
plants. Scarcely any check to growth is given by 
the process of layering, so that the layers develop 
to a fine size by the time they are rooted. Cuttings 
take longer time to attain the same size as layers and 
they are also later in coming into bloom, but they 
make rather more shapely plants for pot work. In 
the case of border Carnations the cuttings may be 
taken and inserted during the fourth week of July. 
Soi/—Before commencing propagation by either 
of the above methods a compost for the operation 
should be prepared, consisting of good loam, leaf 
mould and sharp silver sand in equal proportions. 
The loam and the leaf mould should be passed 
through a quarter inch sieve or riddle, before 
mixing, to remove the coarse material. 
Cuttings. 
When young shoots occur too high upon the stem 
to be conveniently layered, they may be taken off as 
cuttings and rooted. The method is important, 
chiefly in the case of new or scarce varieties of which 
the largest possible number of young plants may be 
desired. Where stock of border Carnations is 
plentiful cuttings are scarcely worth the trouble. 
Cuttings of 2—3in. in length will be suitable. Cut 
the ends horizontally below a joint and trim off a 
few of the lowest leaves. The pots should be ready 
crocked with some moss or the lumpy siftings over 
the drainage. Fill the pots to the rims with the 
perpared compost and press it quite firmly with the 
fingers. Level the surface.and cover it with a layer 
of sand. With a blunt dibber insert the cuttings 
firmly and give the soil a good watering with the 
rosed watering pot to settle the soil. The pots may 
be stored in an unheated frame, covered with hand- 
