NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 125 



be handled, let them be carefully pricked out, four inches 

 apart, into a bed prepared according to the preceding direc- 

 tions. By the Autumn they will be strong plants, and wilt 

 all flower the following season. If you have not a frame 

 you may choose a warm border, sow your choice Pink seed 

 upon it in October, transplant your seedlings in December, 

 and have them tolerably strong before the Autumn. 



By Cuttings, or, as they are called, Pipings. The time 

 for this work depends upon the growth of the plant. As- 

 soon as the side-shoots are long enough, they may be taken 

 off and planted. This will be about the end of November, 

 or beginning of December. The earlier it can be done, the 

 better plants the pipings will make, and the finer they will 

 flower the following season. 



The pipings may be planted either in pots under a 

 frame, or in a shaded border under handlights, or in the 

 open border facing south. For an amateur the pot method 

 will be the most certain. The materials necessary for this- 

 purpose are a good sharp knife, a few bell-glasses, and pots 

 of a size to match them. The soil most suitable is good, 

 light, sandy loam, without any admixture, and a portion of 

 pure sharp sand to place on the surface. When the pipings- 

 are two or three inches long, proceed to cut, not pull them 

 off. Cut them close to the old plant, but do not injure its- 

 stem. When as many pipings as one variety will afford, or 

 as many as may be required of it, are cut off, put a number 

 or name to them, and then dress off close to the lower 

 leaves, plant the pipings, and place the tally to them at once. 

 Do not cut off the ends of the leaves that are left ; give a 

 gentle watering to settle the sand close to each piping, and 

 plant them so far within the rim of each pot as to leave room 

 for the bell-glasses to rest upon the sand within the pot. As 

 soon as the pipings are well rooted, they may be carefully 

 taken out of the cutting pots, and planted where they are to 

 bloom the following season. This propagating process must 

 be performed every season. One-year-old plants only pro- 

 duce blooms fit for the exhibition table. Two-year-old 

 plants will do to plant in the flower garden. 



Pinks may be propagated by layers, exactly in the same 

 way as directed for the Carnation, and when the layers are 

 rooted, take them up and plant out at once in the blooming 

 bed. 



