ON THE CARNATION. 95 



vations on the culture of the Carnation. You must, if you please, 

 still bear in mind, that I am very far from asserting that my system 

 is the best; yet I am sure that, if followed, healthy layers and fine 

 flowers will be produced. 



In looking over the various horticultural memoranda I make during 

 the year, I find it will be best to begin at the period when the layers 

 are taken off, as that [is the time of all others that I would recom- 

 mend those wishing to commence Carnation growing to lay in their 

 stock. 



We will then suppose that the layers are sufficiently rooted. 

 Having removed the pegs which confined them in the ground, they 

 must be carefully lifted up, for it sometimes happens that the weight 

 of the soil attached to the root causes it suddenly to break off to the 

 great disappointment of the grower ; they must then be separated 

 from the parent plant, and the stem cut back at a joint as near as 

 possible to the root ; this should be particularly observed, as the 

 layer will very often strike again at the section. A few of the bot- 

 tom leaves may be shortened, though I am no advocate for the un- 

 merciful trimming which some people give their layers, as I imagine 

 that the removal of leaves at this stage of their growth has a preju- 

 dicial effect on the root. Having removed the layers, they may be 

 potted a pair together in pint pots. Some florists in their prescrip- 

 tions (for florists give prescriptions as well as doctors) recommend 

 manure to be mixed with the soil for potting at this season. But as 

 doctors differ, I also must beg leave to give my veto against this 

 practice. The mixture I winter mine in is one-half road-scrapings, 

 one-fourth willow-dust, and one-fourth turfy loam, broken and mixed 

 up with the spade, but on no account riddled. This is not too 

 forcing, but will keep the layers in good health; it being a great 

 point in their after management, not to have them of too gross a 

 habit during winter, which the presence of manure in the soil would 

 have a tendency to promote. The drainage of the pots must also be 

 well attended to, and putting a small piece of moss over the pot- 

 sherds will prevent the soil from mixing with them and clogging 

 up the drainage. The pots containing the layers must be very 

 slightly watered (but not over the foliage), and should then be 

 placed in a cold frame for a few days, and the lights closed and 

 shaded, so that they may strike fresh root, after which they must be 



