JUNE] FLOWER GARDEN. 449 



are so grown, for the greater convenience in the examination, dress- 

 ing, and laying of the shoots, also with a sharp pen-knife, and some 

 fresh compost earth. 



The layer may be supposed to have four or five joints, more or 

 less; the lower leaves next the root are all to be cut or stripped off 

 close to within two or three joints of the extremity of the layer, and 

 its extreme points are to be shortened by cutting the tops off with 

 the knife, so as to leave them only an inch and a half or two inches 

 in length from the joint whence they proceed. 



All the layers in the pots, and also those in the open ground, are 

 to be thus treated or prepared before any further procedure be made ; 

 the surface of the earth is then to be cleared of what has fallen on 

 it, and should be stirred up about ftn inch deep : the pot is then to 

 be filled up nearly level with some light rich compost, not of too 

 fine a grain. 



The incision immediately follows : the knife should have a small, 

 thin, and very sharp blade ; it is to be introduced on that side the 

 layer next the ground, in a sloping direction upwards, to commence 

 a quarter of an inch below the second or third clean joint from the 

 extremity, and continue through the middle of that joint, and half 

 or three-quarters of an inch above it, the small portion left under 

 and connected with the joint is to be cut off horizontally, quite close 

 to the bottom of the joint, but not into it, as it is from the outer 

 circle of the bottom of the joint that the fibres proceed, consequently, 

 that part should not be injured. 



After the incision is made, which should be through the middle 

 of the joint, &c., and the lower part dressed as before directed, the 

 layer is to be gently forced down to the earth with great care to 

 avoid breaking it off, or even cracking it at the joint, which would 

 prevent a due communication of the juices of the old plant, so 

 necessary for the support of the layer, till it has formed sunicient 

 root to support itself; it would likewise render it more likely to 

 decay on the application of water. 



The layer is to be held down to the surface of the earth by one of 

 the pegs before described, which 13 to be forced into the soil close 

 behind the joint where the incision was made, observing at the same 

 time to keep the slit a little open ; and it is to be observed that the 

 joint from whence the fibres are expected to proceed should be covered 

 about an inch deep with good compost earth, and not deeper ; for the 

 influence of the air is necessary to the free rooting of the layer. 

 The remainder of the stalk of the layer should lay, as much as 

 possible, upon or above the surface, but must by no means be covered 

 too deep. 



Carnations and pinks, growing in the open ground, in beds or 

 borders, &c., may be propagated by laying them in like manner as 

 above, or either may be propagated by pipings, as follows : 



PIPING CARNATIONS AND PINKS. 



For this purpose it is necessary to form a bed of fine light mould, 

 or old compost earth, which should be moderately moistened and 

 29 



