70 THE CARNATION. 



adding to it about half an inch in thickness of your 

 finely-sifted compost,, as directed under the head of 

 piping. 



They will then be ready for the incision,, which 

 must be made with a sharp knife longitudinally, on 

 the under side, a little below the second or third 

 joint from the top : the knife must pass completely 

 through the joint, and extend a quarter of an inch 

 beyond it, forming altogether an incision of nearly 

 an inch long, and dividing the stem of the layer 

 in half lengthwise, as far as it goes. 



The nib, or extreme end of the tongue, as it is 

 called, must be carefully cut off, immediately below 

 the joint ; if left on, it is apt to decay, and prevent 

 the end from becoming callow, which process must 

 take place before the layer can form, or throw out 

 any fibres. The tongue must be fixed downwards 

 in the mould, and secured in that position, with a 

 fern or wooden peg made for the purpose, and the 

 joint where the cut took place covered about three- 

 quarters of an inch deep with the fine mould. 

 Should the part that is pegged down be washed bare 



