134 PLANTS FOR WINDOW GARDENING. 



potted, they should be placed under glass, in a cold frame 

 or pit, plenty of air given in mild weather, and shelter from 

 severe frost, when it occurs. Very little water is required 

 during the winter months, and the air in the frames should 

 be as dry as possible. Should damp prevail, the plants, 

 some fine day, should be taken out, and a coat of fine, dry 

 coal ashes spread over the surface. The plants should then 

 be replaced in the pit. 



By Pipings. Carnations may be propagated by this 

 mode, where there is the convenience of a gentle hot-bed. 

 It is, however, not so safe as layering ; but when there are 

 more shoots than can be layered, and it is desirable to 

 propagate largely, the superfluous shoots may be piped. 

 Cut off the lower part of the shoot, up to the third joint, 

 trim off the lowest pair of leaves, and pass the knife just 

 through the joint. Prepare a pot, by draining it, and filling 

 it with the compost up to within an inch of the top ; fill 

 that inch with silver sand, water it gently to make it firm, 

 and then insert the piping all around it, close to the pot 

 sides ; place them in a gentle hot-bed, shading from the 

 sun ; watch them daily, and supply water when the sand 

 becomes dry. When they are rooted, which they will 

 show by sending up fresh leaves, pot them in pairs, 



