GARDEN PINKS 63 



early autumn, the latter by preference ; this simply means the 

 rending of a growth from the parent plant with a small strip or heel 

 of the old wood attached. These are then planted thickly in rows, 

 and so tenacious is the plant of life that quite a surprisingly small 

 percentage of these slips fail to take root. Almost invariably is 

 this the method adopted by private growers whose requirements 

 are not very large and who are not called upon to raise neat and 

 well-rooted plants for trade purposes. These " slips " are virtually 



FlG. 19. Pink Piping 



" rough " cuttings. They strike best in an open, sandy soil if it 

 is well and finely worked. What stems they have must be inserted 

 in a nick or small trench opened for them, covered with soil, and 

 trodden slightly to firm the soil about them and to keep them in 

 position. The tops must rest evenly, the first pair or set of leaves 

 just touching the soil. 



Layering is also resorted to. It is an eminently safe mode of 

 propagating them. The layering is done, as laid down for carnations, 

 early in July, and under favourable conditions the plants are saleable 



