Cultivation of the Carnation andPicotee. 34' 7 



its extreme points are to be shortened, so as to leave them 

 about 2 in. long; all the layers in the pot being thus prepared, 

 the surface is to be cleared of what may have fallen on it, and 

 stirred up about 1 in. deep, the pot is then to be filled up 

 nearly level, with some light rich mould, finely sifted ; the in- 

 cision immediately follows ; the knife is to be introduced on 

 that side of the layer next the ground, in a sloping direction 

 upwards, to commence about a quarter of an inch below the 

 second or third joint from the extremity, and be continued 

 through the middle of that joint, and one half or three quarters 

 of an inch above it ; the small portion left below the joint is to 

 be cut off horizontally quite close to the bottom of the joint, 

 hut not into it, as it is from the outer circle of it, that the fibres 

 proceed. After the incision is made, the layer is to be gently 

 pressed downwards into the mould, and secured in that po- 

 sition by a fern or other peg, so that the tongue may be 

 buried not more than three quarters of an inch, the other 

 parts of the layer being kept as much as possible on the sur- 

 face, which will greatly facilitate their rooting, and this, with 

 proper attention to watering and shading, will take place in 

 from five to eight weeks from the time ojf laying them down. 

 When this is the case, they are to be cut off from the parent 

 plant, with about half an inch of the stalk which connects 

 them to it, and potted in small pots, as recommended below for 

 the pipings. By this method carnations also may be propa- 

 gated, and the process ought to commence as soon as the 

 shoots are ready, which generally will be about the first week 

 in July. For this purpose a slight hot-bed must be prepared 

 in a sheltered situation, with an eastern aspect, and when the 

 heat is quite moderate, it must be covered 4 or 6 in. thick, with 

 a compost similar to that in which the plants were potted for 

 bloom, but sifted very finely, that the ends of the cuttings, 

 when stuck in, may enter easily, and without injury. The 

 cuttings intended to be piped are to have two complete joints, 

 that is, they are to be cut off horizontally close under the 

 second joint, the points of the leaves are to be shortened, and 

 the sheath, or part that covers the joint, must be carefully 

 peeled off. When thus prepared, throw them into a basin of 

 water for a few minutes, and when the earth on the bed is 

 rendered smooth, level, and rather firm, let it be gently 

 watered through a very fine rose, and, having marked the 

 dimensions of the glass on the bed, the cuttings are to be 

 taken from the basin, one by one, and thrust into the soil 

 with a steady hand, not more than three quarters of an inch 

 deep, and about one inch apart, and then gently watered. 

 The glasses I use for covering them are blown in one piece 



