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PINKS should now be propagated by pipings, if not ^i- 

 . put off last mouth ; the sooner the better. Carnations "c 

 and Picotees may also be increased in a similar manner. The upper- 

 most shoots from the parent plant are the best for the purpose ; they 

 more readily strike root than the verj- robust ones. Cut tlirough the 

 stem close under the third joint from the top, and dress off the lowest 

 pair of leaves ; then insert the pipings in the prepared situation, 

 pressing the soil closely to the stem ; but be careful not to bruise it. 

 A somewhat exhausted hot-bed is most suitable in whicli to put them, 

 havino- but a slight warmth. A good close loam is the best soil for 

 them striking in ; when about to put in the cuttings, a short time 

 before, sprinkle the soil over, so as to have it moist ; when the surface 

 has dried a little, spread over it about an eighth of an inch of white 

 silver sand, and then put in the cuttings. Small liand-glasses, about a 

 foot in diameter, should cover them, so that the dimensions of each 

 should be marked out before planting. The cuttings do best covered 

 with small glasses, and more especially if tlie frame sashes are over the 

 wliole. When the pipings are watered, at first, or afterwards, always 

 allow them to be tolerably dry before clo.sing them up with the glasses, 

 or they will be liable to suffer by mildew. Some excellent modes of 

 increa-sing these flowers by pipings, cuttings, and slips, have been 

 inserted in former volumes of our Magazine, and we refer our readers 

 to them, as they are instructions generally for propagating them in the 

 open bed of the garden. The Pink blooms will require attention, to 

 prevent them bursting the pods ; this is easily done by strong India 

 rubber rims ; they are cheap, a hundred or more for a shilling, and may 

 be obtained of the booksellers ; they allow tlie pod gradually to open, 

 but prevent its bursting. These are equally applicable to Carnations 

 and Picotees. jSIatting is often used for the same purpose. 



Ranunculuses. — Protect the beds overhead by canvas, or similar 

 covering, so that the flowers are shaded from sun and rain. The bed 

 must be liberally supplied with rain or pond water, pouring it between 

 the plants. . _ 



Carnations and Picotees in pots will require regular attention in 



watering, &c. 



Layering Carnations, Picotees, Mule Pinks, Double Sweet 

 Williams, and similar plants, should be attended to as early as pos- 

 sible. Budding Roses may now be commenced ; see Articles upon in 

 former Volumes. Plants put out in masses, whether they are annual, 

 biennial, &c., or greenhouse plants, as Pelargoniums, Heliotropes. 

 Verbenas, &c., must have all encouragement, by carefully loosening 



