44 THE CARNATION MANUAL. 



it can be done speedily. The flower-stems being 

 cut at the same time tends to throw all the plants 

 energies into the desired channel, and we always 

 attain better results than ever could follow layer- 

 ing the flowering plants in the flower-garden. Of 

 course, this plan is only possible when good kinds 

 are grown in quantity. If we only selected twenty- 

 five plants for the nursery, we are sure of obtaining a 

 hundred good layers, and four per plant is a low 

 average for those grown expressly for the purpose. 

 It is invariably exceeded. Our soil being of a friable 

 nature, layering is thereby facilitated. If the weather 

 is dry, the soil is moistened as the work proceeds, 

 the surface is loosened, and it readily breaks up into 

 fine particles. The shoot, after removal of the 

 lower leaves, and cutting half through the joint 

 on the under-side, is pegged down firmly upon 

 the surface, and slightly covered with fine soil pro- 

 vided for the purpose. I believe strongly in this 

 shallow layering. There is no need to cover the 

 layered shoots with two inches or more of fine soil, 

 which, unless frequently watered, is a dust-heap. 

 If the weather is very hot and dry, the layered 

 shoots receive a little water for the first week or 

 ten days ; but even beneath a bright sun they soon 

 freshen up again, because they are half attached to 

 the parent plant, and are therefore stiU sustained, 

 even whilst they are preparing themselves for a 

 separate existence. In from six weeks to two 



