THE PINK 97 



flowers. No glass-houses, frames, or even hand-lights 

 are necessary ; they can be propagated either by 

 pipings or layers, and this can be done a month 

 earlier than the Carnations can be layered. 



PROPAGATION BY LAYERS AND PIPINGS 



" I believe, on the whole, it is better to propagate 

 the plants from layers. If from slips or pipings," 

 these can be taken off in June, and they will form 

 roots in a shady place outdoors, or, what is better, a 

 hand-light. They will soon root, and may be planted 

 out in beds of rich and deep soil in September or 

 October ; if in the bed in which they are to flower, put 

 them about twelve inches apart, but it is better to 

 plant the layers or pipings about four inches asunder 

 until they have formed plenty of roots and gathered 

 strength. Such plants may be put out in the open 

 garden where they are to flower in October. The 

 treatment they require is much the same as that for 

 Carnations, except that they may be planted much 

 closer together. Some attention is required during 

 winter ; the ground must be kept free from weeds, 

 and the surface lightly stirred occasionally. 



GENERAL TREATMENT 



If rabbits or hares are troublesome, almost the first 

 plants to be attacked will be the Pinks and Carna- 

 tions. Slugs and the leather-coated grub will also eat 

 the leaves, and sadly disfigure the plants. Wireworms 



are also destructive. The leather-coated grub also 



G 



