96 Select Carnations, Picotees, and Pinks. 
varieties. Some of the newer types bear seed if 
properly fertilised, but others, especially the original 
types, produce pollen only. 
Increase by means of cuttings is sometimes 
practised in the same way as tree Carnations are 
propagated, particularly when the stock plants are 
large and cannot conveniently or possibly be layered. 
Not all of them, however, produce roots freely by 
this system except under careful management. The 
stout, fleshy stems and the large sappy leaves are un- 
favourable to the method of propagation which 
answers so admirably with tree and American 
Carnations. The cuttings should be taken off with 
a heel of older wood, trimmed and inserted in pots of 
light sandy soil covered with 4in. of sharp silver 
sand. Plunge the pots in a brisk bottom heat of 
60° in a propagating case and they will root in four 
to six weeks. Those who have no house or pit with 
a good command of heat can make up a hotbed of 
stable manure and leaves, cover it with a layer of 
sandy soil and plunge the pots in it. May is the 
best month for taking cuttings. 
Layering is now the most popular method of 
propagating Malmaisons and the most easily accom- 
plished. This should be done in June after the 
plants have finished flowering. Some growers 
plunge the pots, if not too large, in a cold frame and 
layer the shoots in the surrounding soil. The 
process will be hastened if the layering is done in 
the soil overlaying a spent hotbed of dung, with this 
gentle stimulating bottom heat, the aid of the sun 
will be all sufficient. 
Stronger layers may be rooted than in the case of 
cuttings. Strip off the lower leaves to a suitable 
point for making the cut, as in the case of border 
Carnations; but avoid weakening the layer and the 
plant to which it will give rise by removing all the 
leaves except a tuft at the tip. This is bad practice, 
and nothing whatever is gained by it. Every pair of 
leaves retained will add to the bulk and the vigour 
of the prospective plant. On the other hand the 
cut should not be made in wood that is hard or over- 
ripened, but just such as would be secured in the 
case of cuttings. If the internodes are short the cut 
may pass through one joint or knot, upwards to the 
base of the next. In any case the knife should pass 
up the centre of the stem to insure a firm tongue to 
carry the roots without breaking off. The tongue 
