CONVERSATIONS, &c. 61 



causes the plant to perish. I know some florists make a rule of 

 leaving a piece of stalk to the layer, thereby (as they say) to 

 increase their chance of more roots, but in my opinion they only 

 increase the chances of decay. I received some layers last sea- 

 son from a florist in Lancashire, which were cut through the joint 

 and halfway to the next, the result was, several of them perish- 

 ed before blooming ; perhaps some people may think it their 

 interest that the plants they sell, should not live ; but for my 

 part I am determined not to buy twice of any person who layers 

 in that manner. When the layers are cut in the manner I have 

 described, close to the joint, there is not half the risk of the 

 wet destroying them as it frequently does ; those layered in the 

 common way by lodging in the pith, which soon rots and con- 

 taminates the whole plant. 



Wouldknow. The shoots sometimes grow so high up the 

 stalk that they cannot be got down to the surface of the pot, how 

 do you contrive to manage them ? 



Bloomwell. The simplest way is to place another pot filled 

 with soil at a proper distance, and gently bend down the stalk to 

 it, securing it with a strong hook, and then lay your shoots. An- 

 other method said to be practised in France, is to take a small 

 piece of lead paper, such as tea is commonly wrapped in, and 

 after you have cut your shoot in the proper manner, wrap the 

 paper close round the stalk at the bottom, letting the top remain 

 wide open, in the form of an inverted cone, the joint, being about 

 the middle of the paper, fill it with fine compost, and water it to 

 to make it settle round the joint, it must also be watered occa- 

 sionally till struck, make the paper fast to the stick which sup- 

 ports your plant. 



"Wouldknow. Which is the best time to take off the layers ? 



Bloomwell. The general part of them should be potted off 

 the beginning of October, such as are slow or late strikers, may 

 be perhaps as well left on till spring. When well rooted how- 

 ever, they may be taken off at any time during winter, provided 

 it be open weather, placing the plants thus removed under a frame 

 or hand-glass, or what is better, in a carnation house till spring. 

 In planting out your layers in the spring, do not be too much in 

 a hurry with them, but wait till the weather appears settled. 



Wouldknow, I am extremely obliged to you for your infor- 

 mstion, and hope to visit you again. 



Bloomwell. I shall be Imppy to sec you or any other florist 



