CUTTINGS 121 



down, and a thin layer of dead leaves is then sprinkled over it. 

 The alternate layers of manure and leaves are repeated until all 

 the manure has been utilised. It is important that the heap 

 should be trodden down as firmly as possible. The object of 

 this, and also of the leaves, is to reduce the rate of fermentation, 

 and thus to maintain a moderate temperature for a considerable 

 period. The rise in temperature is in effect an oxidation of the 

 substance of the manure heap through the agency of various 

 species of bacteria. By treading the heap down we reduce the 

 amount of air in the heap, and so reduce the speed of oxidation. 

 The action of the leaves is mainly one of dilution. On the heap 

 thus prepared the frame is placed, and inside is spread a layer 

 of ashes to a depth of three inches, in which we can plunge the 

 pots to a suitable depth for a steady supply of warmth to the 

 cuttings. During the first two or three days there will be a 

 considerable rise in temperature, as observed by means of a 

 thermometer placed inside the frame, and most of the oxygen 

 in the heap will be used up. When this stage is reached the 

 fermentation processes depend mainly on the infiltration of air 

 from the outside, the processes therefore slacken in intensity, 

 and the temperature falls a little. At the end of about five 

 days from the time of making, the temperature is steady, and 

 the pots containing the cuttings may be plunged in the ashes. 

 To reduce transpiration, the atmosphere of the frame must be 

 maintained moderately moist by watering, and for the same 

 reason direct sunlight must be excluded. For the first fortnight 

 the frame is opened an inch for half an hour daily to admit 

 air. The plants are then gradually hardened off by partly opening 

 the frame during the warm part of the day, and finally are 

 transferred to the greenhouse or room where the temperature 

 throughout the winter is not allowed to fall below 40 Fahr. 



If a hot-bed is not available, cuttings may also be taken in 

 the spring, although in that case the time available for the 

 plant to establish itself before flowering is shorter. Pinks, such 

 as the Clove Pink and " Mrs. Sinkins " Pink, may be treated 

 in this way. The method of taking and of potting the cuttings 

 is the same. Indeed, cuttings of Pinks may be planted out at 

 once on the border, provided this is well shaded from the sun. 



