THE MANSE GARDEN. 223 



This width is to make room for layers, without which 

 a fine blow of carnations cannot be maintained above 

 one year. As the plants shoot up, they must be 

 tied to neat green rods ; and in order to have a fine 

 blow, superfluous flowerbuds must be pinched off, 

 leaving only three or four to each stem. 



The young shoots near the ground which do not 

 run to flower are denominated grass ; and from these 

 the layers are selected. The operation is somewhat 

 nice, but when rightly done is always successful, and 

 good flowers are thus preserved and multiplied from 

 year to year. Towards the end of July stir up the 

 ground about the plants, and mix with the soil a little 

 old well wrought compost. Have at hand a sharp 

 penknife, a trowel, and a number of small pegs with 

 an angle at the head : pieces of fern will do, or wood 

 of no more strength than to bear pushing into the 

 ground. Scoop out the earth in the form of a basin 

 around each plant ; select the strongest grassy shoots 

 for layers, and remove such as are in the way'; crop 

 the top leaves an inch from the heart, and pinch off 

 all the rest, taking care not to peel the stem. Begin 

 an incision on the under side of the shoot a little 

 below the second joint from the top, and cut upwards 

 tilKthe joint is slit in the middle. Set the pointed 

 extremity made by the slit into the bottom of the 

 excavation, and there fix it with the peg ; place the 

 head of the shoot erect, fill in the earth, make it firm, 

 arid finish the work with a good watering. The 

 young plants will be ready for removal by the end of 

 autumn, when they may be set in flowerpots if the 

 soil is too damp and apt to cause rotting in winter ; 

 but if sufficiently dry the layers may remain till 



