INCREASING HARDY PLANTS BY CUTTINGS 35 



dealt with in the same way until all are ready for putting 

 down. When all the pieces are thus trimmed, gently 

 stir up the soil an inch deep or thereabouts all round the 

 plant. 



Purchase some " layering pegs " made of straight bits of 

 thin wire six inches long with a crook at one end, or, what 

 will do just as well, some long hairpins. These are intended 

 to hold the layer steadily in the soil. Then with a sharp pen- 

 knife make an upward cut in the portion of the stem from 

 which the leaves were removed previously, and this is the 

 method to follow. Take one of the layers with the left hand, 

 grasping all the leaves. Place the forefinger of the same 

 hand low down on the prepared part of the stem, and cut 

 into the stem just below a good joint, continuing the cut in an 

 upward direction for almost an inch. Endeavour to make the 

 cut quite in the centre of the stem. When the knife is with- 

 drawn one portion remains in direct communication with the 

 upper portion of the growth, while the other is separated 

 from it. The separated part is called the " nib " or " tongue," 

 and it is from this that the roots will eventually be produced. 

 Place the layer in the soil, already loosened to receive it. 

 Make a tiny trench with the finger, and while keeping the 

 tongue of the shoot open lay the stem on the surface, and 

 carefully peg it into position, finally covering rather firmly 

 with soil. In every case rooting 

 of the layers is greatly assisted 

 by using a good addition of sand 

 of any kind, even builder's sand 

 will do. This is the practical 

 work of layering, and the same 

 system is followed not only with 

 trees but hosts of rare and beauti- 

 ful subjects that take a long time 

 to root when other methods are 

 adopted. In dealing with the 

 Carnation thus the chief fear is 

 in the process of making the cut, 

 as frequently the blade slips right 

 through the stem and the shoot 

 is sacrificed. The best way to 

 obviate this is to practise a little on boughs of Privet or 

 shoots of trees before starting upon the Carnation. Give a 

 good soaking of water when layering is finished. 



The Pink is usually increased from cuttings, and these are 

 called " pipings " by the gardener, but they are simply minia- 

 ture layers, but by reason of a more wiry nature, root far 



CARNATION LAYERED 



