CHAPTER XI 



PROPAGATION OF PERPETUAL-FLOWERING 

 VARIETIES 



PERPETUAL-FLOWERING Carnations are propagated by seed, 

 cuttings, and layers, but for cut-flower purposes cuttings 

 are best, and these are generally employed. A great deal 

 depends upon the cutting, and its proper treatment at the 

 commencement. The first essential, therefore, is to see 

 that the cuttings are obtained from clean, healthy plants ; 

 and the next, to take care that they are grown without 

 undue forcing, either by heat or strong stimulants. Where 

 large batches of one variety are grown, it is often seen that 

 some plants are more vigorous, free-flowering, and the 

 calices more perfect than others ; cuttings should be taken 

 from such as these. The perfect cuttings are formed from 

 the short-jointed side growths, which are produced freely 

 by healthy plants of most varieties. These should be taken 

 off with a heel, or portion of the bark of the main stem, 

 attached, which is easily secured by pulling them off with 

 a downward jerk. They need but little preparation, be- 

 yond removing two or three of the basal leaves. Shoots 

 which are seen to be running to flower should be avoided, 

 as well as the growths at the base of the plants, these 

 having been found to produce unfloriferous plants. With 

 some varieties it is a difficult matter to procure sufficient 

 cuttings for the winter propagation, owing to their free- 



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