THE CARNATION AND THE PINK 217 



it becomes easy. This is the making of a cut in the shoot about 

 to be layered in such a way that a tongue is formed similar to that 

 in the lower section of the diagram. The cut should be made with 

 a sharp penknife along the middle of the stem. Start to cut at 

 about the third joint away from the parent plant, and run the 

 knife along for a couple of inches. Then place the layer in the 

 soil so that it may be covered to a depth of about two inches. 

 Peg the layer down as shown in the picture, taking care to leave 

 the tongue open and pushing it well into the ground. It is from 

 the tongue that the new roots will strike. Cover the layer with 

 fine soil, and the operation is completed. This process should be 

 followed until half-a-dozen or so layers have been made from each 

 parent plant. When the whole of the work has been completed 

 give the layers a good soaking with water, and then, save for an 

 occasional moistening in dry weather, they may be left to their 

 own devices. 



In five or six weeks, if the weather be favourable, the layers 

 will have become rooted, and they may then be detached from 

 the parent plant. This is done by making a sharp cut through the 

 stem of the layer near the old plant. It will be wise to leave the 

 newly formed plants where they are for a week or two longer to 

 allow them to become thoroughly established. 



Afterwards they may be disposed of as the fancy of the gardener 

 dictates. Some may be wanted to go at once into their flowering 

 quarters for the following year. This can be done in October, 

 and with favourable winter weather they will be splendid plants 

 by the spring. Others again may be required for spring plant- 

 ing. These should be consigned to cold frames which have been 

 filled with a good compost of fairly light soil. Any of the plants 

 that are put into cold frames should be kept close for a few days 

 and afterwards be given a plentiful supply of air. Border carna- 

 tions, it should never be forgotten, are hardy plants ; coddling 

 will do a great deal more harm than good. 



If these directions be followed, the amateur gardener will be 

 the possessor in the spring of a stock of young plants that will 

 do him credit when the flowering season comes round again. 



