Propagating and Shipping Young Stock 



Carnation Manual, edited and issued by the National Carnation and Picotee 

 Society, southern section of England: 



"August is the month in which to layer carnations ; the shoots have be- 

 come firm, and can be manipulated without danger of snapping off. The first process 

 is to trim the layers, using a pair of sharp scissors, cutting away the leaves close to 

 the stem up to about the fourth or fifth joint from the point. Then, by means of a 

 pointed stake, take out from the pot two inches or so of the old soil, and replace it 

 with new, something after the nature of that recommended for cuttings. Should the 

 soil about the roots be dry, give a good soaking of water, and allow it to drain away 

 before filling the pot with fresh soil. The new compost should be raised up to the 

 level of the rim, but pressed somewhat firmly as the work of filling proceeds. Pegs 

 are necessary to fasten the layers securely down into the soil. Those made of fern 

 are usually employed; it is also possible to obtain pegs made of flexible wire, and 

 these, being much more durable, are cheapest in the end. Then the layerer, taking 

 the trimmed shoot firmly between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand, thrusts his 

 knife the blade of which should be small, narrow, and sharpened on both sides 

 through the third or fourth joint, bringing it out at the back by means of a clean and 

 rapid cut ; the tongue of the layer is shortened, if necessary ; it is then pressed gently 

 down into the fresh soil, and secured by means of a peg. When the whole of the 

 layers are laid down and they generally are made to form a fringe around the inner 

 rim of the pot the surface soil should be leveled off and the surface made neat. 



"Some shoots are too high up on the plant to be able to bend them low enough 

 to layer in the ordinary way. A zinc rim, two or three inches in depth, can be fitted 

 to the pots, filled with soil, and by this means it is brought nearer to the level of 

 the layers. 



"When all is completed, a light sprinkling overhead should be given by means of 

 a rose watering-pot, and the pots stood out in the open until the layers have rooted, 

 which, in good season, will happen in from a month to six weeks. 



"By the end of September, and during the first two weeks in October, the layers 

 will be sufficiently rooted to admit of potting off." 



86 



