June.] FLOWER GARDEN. 423 



then to be cleared of what has fallen on it, and should be stirred 

 up about an inch deep: the pot is then to be filled up nearly level 

 with some light rich compost, not of too fine a grain. 



The incision immediately follows: the knife should have a small, 

 thin, and very sharp blade; it is to be introduced on that side the 

 layer next the ground, in a sloping direction upwards, to commence 

 a quarter of an inch below the second or third clean joint from the 

 extremity, and continue through the middle of that joint, and half 

 or three quarters of an inch above it, the small portion left under 

 and connected with the joint is to be cut off horizontally, quite 

 close to the bottom of the joint, but not into it, as it is from the 

 outer circle of the bottom of the joint that the fibres proceed, con- 

 sequently, that part should not be injured. 



After the incision is made, which should be through the middle 

 of the joint, &c. , and the lower part dressed as before directed, the 

 layer is to be gently forced down to the earth with great care to 

 avoid breaking it off, or even cracking it at the joint, which would 

 prevent a due communication of the juices of the old plant, so 

 necessary for the support of the layer, till it has formed sufficient 

 root to support itself; it would likewise render it more likely to 

 decay on the application of water. 



The layer is to be held down to the surface of the earth by one of 

 the pegs before described, which is to be forced into the soil close 

 behind the joint where the incision was made, observing at the 

 same time to keep the slit a little open; and it is to be observed that 

 the joint from whence the fibres are expected to proceed should be 

 covered about an inch deep with good compost earth, and not 

 deeper; for the influence of the air is necessary to the free rooting 

 of the layer. The remainder of the stalk of the layer should lay, 

 as much as possible, upon or above the surface of the pot, but must 

 by no means be covered too deep. 



Carnations and pinks, growing in the open ground, in beds or 

 borders, &c, may be propagated by laying them in like manner as 

 above, or either may be propagated by pipings, as follows: 



Piping Carnations and Pinks. 



For this purpose it is necessary to form a bed of fine light mould, 

 or old compost earth, which should be moderately moistened and 

 rendered rather compact than otherwise; then take a hand or bell- 

 glass, and with it mark its dimensions on the surface of the soil, 

 in order to know where to stick in the pipings, so as to lose no 

 room, or endanger their being disturbed when the glass is placed 

 over them. 



The cuttings intended to be piped are to have two complete 

 joints, that is to say, they are to be cut off horizontally close under 

 the second joint; the extremities or points of the leaves are like- 

 wise to be shortened as for laying, which will leave the whole length 

 of the piping about two inches: as soon as thus prepared they may 

 be thrown into a basin of soft water for a few minutes to plump. 

 They are then to be taken out of the basin singly, and forced into 



