348 



Gardening for Amateurs 



You must consider at which joint to make 

 the cut. I judge partly by its condition ; 

 it should not be too hard or too soft, but 

 should cut like a ripe apple. Usually a 

 joint about half way between the commence- 

 ment of the shoot and its tip will be best. 

 Then cut off all the lower leaves up to the 

 joint selected, and then cut a tongue in that 

 joint (see diagram), either upwards or 

 downwards, with a layering knife, according 



from this does not wash the soil away from 

 the layer, as is often the case when a water- 

 ing-can is used. I have omitted to say that 

 the compost ought to be moist, but not wet, 

 when placed round the plant. 



Taking up the Layers. I like 'to leave 

 my layers on the plants fo-r three months 

 at least, so I usually plant them out in 

 October. It is true they root in six weeks 

 or two months, but I find they make much 



LAYERING CARNATIONS. 



Pegging down the layer ; A indicates a peg 

 wrongly inserted, B shows it properly 

 placed. 



Rooted layer ready for planting. The 

 piece of stem at A is cut off. B 

 shows depth at which to plant. 



to whether it is easier to you personally to 

 cut to you or away from you. 



Then peg the layer down, taking care the 

 tongue is kept separate from the main stem. 

 I usually insert some of the compost, or a 

 small stone, to effect this. The pegging 

 can be done either with a layering pin or 

 with an ordinary, everyday hairpin. Cover 

 with about i inch of compost. Water 

 through a very fine rose. I use an Abol 

 syringe for this purpose; the fine spray 



finer and healthier plants if allowed a longer 

 time. The late Mr. James Douglas has 

 put on record that exceptionally successful 

 cultivators of Flakes and Bizarres in the 

 open at Swalwell, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, 

 " allowed the layers to be well ripened and 

 rooted before planting." And, he continued, 

 " the second week in November is the best 

 time for planting ; but there is no hard and 

 fast rule in this matter." This applies 

 equally to Selfs and Fancies ; I have myself 



