292 FLOWER GARDEN. 



are selected; a few of the lower leaves are then removed; 

 an incision is made a little below a suitable joint, pass- 

 ing up to the joint, but not through it; the shoot is then 

 pegged down and covered with some fresh soil, the tip 

 being left above ground. Layers are generally found 

 to be rooted in about a month after the operation has 

 been performed. Pipings are little cuttings, separated 

 at a joint, and planted thickly under bell-glasses on a 

 slight hotbed. They require great attention, and are 

 precarious in their success, but form excellent plants. 



Numerous-directions have been given respecting com- 

 posts for carnations. We abridge those of Hogg, who 

 is the principal authority in this matter. Take three 

 barrows of loam, one and a half of garden-mould, two 

 of horse-dung, and one of coarse sand ; let these be mix- 

 ed, and thrown into a heap, and turned over two or 

 three times in the winter, particularly in frosty weather. 

 Towg^rds the end of November a barrow-load of lime is 

 added while hot, to aid in the decomposition of the soil, 

 and destroy worms. For the varieties which are liable 

 to sport, he recommends a poorer compost. 



The more robust carnations are planted out in beds 

 or singly in the flower garden ; but the finer and more 

 tender sorts are grown in pots of about a. foot in diame- 

 ter. The time of potting is about the end of March. 

 When the flower-stems show themselves, they are fur- 

 nished with rods, to which they are tied as they length- 

 en, to prevent their being broken by the wind or other 

 accident. When the j)lants begin to expand their blos- 

 soms, they are removed to a stage calculated to exhibit 

 their beauties. Some florists place ligatures around the 

 flower-buds, in order to prevent irregular bursting, and 



