56 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



door to disease and deterioration. Now carnations are already 

 susceptible to certain diseases and this should be borne in mind. 

 It will suggest to the more prudent propagators that, while it is 

 up to them to increase their stocks to the utmost while the glamour 

 of novelty still stimulates the demand, it would be highly imprudent 

 to endanger the future welfare of such a promising infant by taxing 

 it beyond what it can reasonably bear. 



The more natural method of propagation is the same as that 

 of the pink in June, July, and August, but (and this justifies our 

 warning) it is really being propagated from February till October, 

 inclusive. In the earlier and later months indoor treatment is 

 given. That it readily roots in all these months is a proof of its 

 hardihood, as distinct from hardiness, yet though propagation is 

 rushed through that prolonged period, W 7 e know as a matter of fact 

 that some nurserymen, at least, cannot keep pace with the demand. 



It will perhaps save a more detailed description as to how to 

 treat cuttings if we say that throughout the summer we strike them 

 in cold frames alongside of violas, and that both need the same 

 treatment, viz. shading, closeness for a short time, and daily 

 sprinkling. These cuttings root in from four to five weeks, and in 

 another week are ready for planting out in beds, or potting. Up 

 till now we have preferred the latter, as they can then be packed 

 and dispatched at any time. So far as we can do so, we prefer to 

 hold all plants until after we have stopped them and seen them 

 break. 



Indoor propagation, which we follow whenever cuttings are 

 available, requires but a gentle heat. It is well known that the whole 

 genus resents hot treatment, so we see that the bottom heat is only 

 moderate and that the top heat is but about 10 degrees above the 

 outside temperature, unless it happens to be freezing. The later 

 batches are struck singly in small pots ; the spring batches in stores, 

 pans, or boxes. As nearly as possible we give these the same 

 conditions as the summer frame cuttings enjoy, viz. equable tem- 

 perature, closeness for a short time, and moisture. We strike the 

 perpetual carnations in exactly the same way, and indeed they are 

 often joint occupants of the propagating pit. 



Allwoodii is also an easy subject to layer. Its growth, being denser 

 than that of the carnations, is much more compact, and they cannot 



