6 FLORICULTURAL GLEANINGS. 



culture of the Carnation, to give the layers "a good trimming "before 

 making the incision and pegging them down ; but this is a practice 

 which cannot be too strongly reprobated. All modern writers on 

 vegetable physiology lay it down as an established physiological fact, 

 that the leaves of plants are destined for performing the important 

 functions of digestion, respiration, and perspiration; and, conse- 

 quently, the lopping off of these necessary organs cannot but be highly 

 prejudicial to the well-being of the infant plants. It is also now 

 pretty generally known that carbonic acid is, in a very great degree, 

 the nutriment of all plants, part of which is extracted from the soil 

 by the spongelets of the roots, and part absorbed from the surround- 

 ing atmosphere by the green surface of the plants. It has also been 

 proved, by a variety of experiments, that the influence of the sun's 

 rays has the power of decomposing the carbonic acid, the carbon 

 being retained for the support of the plants, while the oxygen is again 

 expelled, by perspiration or evaporation, through the surface of the 

 leaves. " A Young Beginner " will, therefore, at once sec the im- 

 portance of preserving these organs entire, so that those wonderful 

 operations of Nature may be preserved continually going on. 



Fifthly. As the operation of layering is going on, the " Young 

 Beginner " will find that his leading pods are getting full, and re- 

 quiring a little assistance from the knife, to enable them to burst 

 regularly. I would advise him also to tie them gently round with 

 waxed thread, so that he can give them more room as they grow and 

 require it. He will soon now be cheered by the appearance of his old 

 favourites, and the pushing of their petals beyond the calyx will be 

 watched with the greatest attention, especially if he has increased his 

 stock by the importation of any of the newer varieties. If he is a 

 competing florist, it will be necessary for him now to erect a tent 

 over his bed, so that every drop of rain may be prevented from falling 

 upon the petals, which soon taint where moisture has been allowed to 

 fall upon them. I would advise him to make his flower-beds all of 

 one size, and in a regular range, so that, if he grows a bed of Tulips, 

 he can remove his tulip-tent from that bed to his Ranunculuses, from 

 them to his Pinks, from Pinks to Carnations, &c, as the season 

 advances. This I have found to be a very economical plan, nothing 

 extra being incurred but the trouble of shifting it as it is wanted : it 

 both preserves from rain and sun, both of which the " Young Be- 



