CLOVE CARNATION. 159 



prepared for their reception should be previously 

 watered ; and, when somewhat settled, the 

 pipings may be inserted, or gently stuck in, 

 rather better than half an inch deep, and not 

 too much crowded together. When the space 

 within the glass is filled up, give water with a 

 fine rose on the watering-pot, to settle the earth 

 closely to the cuttings ; and when this water 

 is absorbed and evaporated off, cover them with 

 the glasses ; observing that, wherever they may 

 be placed, whether in a hot or cold frame, or in 

 a quiet corner in the open air, no full sun should 

 have access to them, nor any unnecessary mois- 

 ture be allowed to remain within the glass. 



The reasons for thus preparing and planting 

 the cuttings require some explanation. The tops 

 of the shoots are chosen, because we find that, 

 wherever the growth is most active (so as the 

 parts are sufficiently organized and substantial to 

 resist the decomposing effects of moisture), there 

 the fibrous rootlets are soonest produced, and 

 much more vigorously than from the lovi'er parts 

 of the shoot. They are cut just below the node 



