CARNATION. 



CARNATION. 



be layered, and prepared pegs for pegging 

 them down, and made a small trench in 

 the soil for their reception, add a little 

 sand where the layers are to be placed, 

 working it into the soil. Prepare each 

 shoot by trimming off all the leaves with 

 a sharp knife, except 5 or 6 inches at the 

 top ; then, with a thin-bladed knife, make 

 an incision half through the shoot with an 

 upward cut, beginning below a joint, and 

 passing it through it for about an inch or 

 so. Bend the layer down into the sandy 

 soil prepared for it, pegging it down in 

 that situation in such a manner as to keep 

 the slit or tongue open, and cover it with 



cable to pinks than carnations. Pipings 



MODE OF LAYERING CARNATIONS. 



fi, rich light compost. Two days after- 

 wards, when the wound is healed, a gentle 

 watering will be beneficial. 



Propagation by Cuttings. Cuttings are 

 made by taking off shoots which cannot be 

 conveniently layered, cutting them right 

 through A joint with an oblique angular 

 cut, and planting them in pots or beds 

 prepared with mixed compost and sand. 



Propagation by Pipings. Piping consists 

 in drawing out tne young shoots from the 

 joints, and inserting it into a light, sandy 

 soil, when it takes root. As it has been 

 laid, it is a process more generally appli- 



should be struck under a hand-glass, and 

 when well rooted, should be planted in a 

 bed, in rows 6 inches apart, and 3 inches 

 between the plants. Supposing the pipings 

 to be taken in June or early in July, they 

 should remain in the bed until September, 

 when they may be transferred to another 

 bed, or to pots, in a compost thoroughly 

 incorporated, consisting of two-thirds loam 

 from decayed turf, and one-third well- 

 decomposed cow-dung. If in pots, let 

 them be 4^ inch pots, having a few crocks 

 in the bottom, and the pots filled with 

 compost. Lift the plants carefully, with- 

 out breaking the fibres, adjusting the soil 

 so as to place the plant in its proper 

 position, spreading out the roots on the 

 soil, and filling up the pot nearly to the 

 edge. The roots must not be sunk too 

 deep, but the soil on the top must be on a 

 level with the collar of the plant. When 

 gently watered, the pots may be placed in 

 a common garden frame, and the glass 

 closed for twenty-four hours. Throughout 

 the winter the plants give very little 

 trouble, seldom requiring water, but need- 

 ing all the air that can be given them. In 

 March they should be repotted in the pots 

 in which they are to bloom. These should 

 be 8 inch pots, with I inch at least of 

 crocks for drainage ; the soil as before. 



Potting Layers. Where layers of carna- 

 tions and picotees are potted, the potting 

 should be done in October, when they will 

 be well rooted. The best plan appears to 

 be to place them singly into small pots for 

 the winter months. In this way they can 

 be packed closely under common frames 

 in old tan or cinder ashes. Let the newly 

 potted layers have all the air possible in 

 fine weather. If the winter prove severe, 

 it will be necessary to cover the glass with 

 mats, straw, or long litter. 



Soily <SrY. For good compost for carna- 

 j tions, take two-thirds of good loamy soil, 



