ON THE CULTURE OF CARNATIONS. 221 



of the joint must be cut oil' horizontally close to the joint, which 

 will complete this part of the operation. The incision being thus 

 made, the layer must be gently pressed into the mould, and 

 secured by one of the pegs, not less than half an inch, nor more 

 than an inch, below the surface, raising the extreme point of each 

 as upright as possible ; water and shade as the weather may render 

 it necessary, and in three weeks they will have struck rjot, and be 

 ready to pot off in six weeks. When the layers have struck root, 

 cut them off from the parent roots, without any of the stalk 

 below the incision attached to them, and plant in 48-sized pots, 

 filled with good loam and leaf-mould, — a single, plant in each, if 

 Strong; if small, two, or even three, may be planted in each pot, 

 placing them round the sides. When potted, place them under 

 an arch of hoops in an open, airy part of the garden ; in this situ- 

 ation, shelter them, by means of mats, from heavy, dashing rains 

 and cold winds till winter. About the middle of October, prepare 

 a frame for the reception of the plants : set it in a warm situation 

 opposite the south, and fully exposed to the sun ; raise it from the 

 ground by laying a brick under each of the front corners, and two 

 biricks under each of the back ones, which will give a good level 

 towards the sun ; then proceed to place all rotind the outside of 

 i lif frame not less than a foot thick of soil, well trodden down, and 

 raised nearly as high as the top of the frame. Next lay a good 

 floor of lime, scraps, and on that about six inches of coal-ashes, 

 on whirh the plants are to stand. This will prevent worms from 

 penetrating, and add much to the warmth and cleanliness of the 

 plants. Elevating the frame is far preferable to setting it on the 

 ground, as it is not so liable to rot, and the more the plants arc 

 raised above the level of the surrounding earth, by a thick floor of 

 sjAes, thfl more easily they will be kept free from damp. The 

 ii.iin. being prepared, remove the plants to it, and cover with 

 glasses in wet or frosty weather. Care must be taken not to shut 

 lb' in up too close, if tlif; plants are wet, or they are very apt to 

 bet owe infesti d with mildew. 



nations, if dry. will bear a strong frosf without material 



injur) ; but if wet, they usually sutler. When the soil becomes 



• en null mot on the tops of the pots, stir up (be soil carefully 



hallaiiin.li deep, and sprinkle a little coarse sand upon it. Do 



lliis as often as requi 1). Pearce. 



May 2nd, 1831. 



