126 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



loosened to receive it. Make a tiny trench with the finger, 

 and while keeping the tongue of the shoot open lay the stem 

 on the surface, and carefully peg it into position, finally 

 covering rather firmly with soil. In every case rooting of 

 the layers is greatly assisted by using a good addition of sand 

 of any kind, even builder's sand will do. This is the practical 

 work of layering, and the same system is followed not only 

 with trees but hosts of rare and beautiful subjects that take a 

 long time to root when other methods are adopted. In 

 dealing with the Carnation thus the chief fear is in the process 

 of making the cut, as frequently the blade slips right through 

 the stem and the shoot is sacrificed. The best way to obviate 

 this is to practise a little on boughs of Privet or shoots of trees 

 before starting upon the Carnation. Give a good soaking of 

 water when layering is finished. 



The Carnation gives the best results if planted in beds or 

 masses, so that an imposing group of one colour is ob- 

 tained if the garden is a large one ; small beds may be 

 made of white, crimson, yellow, scarlet, pink, &c. In small 

 gardens there may be room for one small bed only ; in 

 that case mixed colours must be grown. The plants ought 

 to be about 15 inches asunder, as a certain space is neces- 

 sary for layering. The plants may also be put out in open 

 spaces in the mixed border ; the layers may be thinned out 

 from these clumps, some good soil placed around those 

 that remain, and in this way a greater mass of blossoms may 

 be obtained the following season. In some gardens, and in 

 certain districts unfavourable to the growth of the Carnation 

 out of doors in winter, it may be better to put up the plants 

 in small flower-pots. The flower-pots are termed small, 

 medium, and large 6o's, 2j inches, 3 inches, and 3^ inches 

 inside measure. Two plants are placed in the large size and 

 single plants in the smaller sizes. They are potted firmly, and 

 a good compost is four parts fibrous loam, one part leaf- 

 mould, and one part decayed manure ; this material answers 

 admirably. The plants can be wintered in ordinary garden 

 frames. The lights may be kept rather close for a week or so, 

 but when fresh roots are formed they should be removed 

 whenever the weather is favourable, and during the winter 

 only give sufficient water to keep the pot in soil from becoming 

 dust dry. Many people prefer planting in autumn, while 

 others believe spring is best ; but if strong hardy stock is 

 obtained from growers of repute any time between September 

 and May, provided the weather is fairly open and the ground 

 not frozen, will be successful. 



