LAYING CARNATIONS. 121 



to be laid, and spread fine mould, about two 

 inches thick, round them, that it may be ready 

 for the young roots to grow in: have some 

 small pegs, made from fejn stalks, or small 

 branches of trees ; cut off a few leaves from 

 the lower part of the shoot, and take about an 

 inch off those at the top of it; then, with a very 

 sharp knife, cut a slit half through the shoot 

 between two joints, at about the middle of it, 

 turning the sharp edge of the knifc* up wards; 

 cut the slit through the first joint to the middle 

 between it and the one above it ; then make a 

 hollow in the mould, bend down the cut part 

 of the shoot, peg it to the ground with its head 

 up, and cover the slit part with about half an 

 inch of mould. You may lay as many shoots 

 as you like, and as are fit, in this way ; the only 

 thing to be avoided, is taking such as have 

 begun to send out side shoots, for they will 



not strike. 



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