458 New Method of propagating Pifiks. 



rooted in less than three weeks ; afterwards gradually hard- 

 ened till they could bear any exposure ; then, being shifted 

 into larger pots, they were again placed on a gentle bottom 

 heat, without any protection from glass or otherwise, until 

 they showed flower. It is this bottom heat which is the only 

 secret in the process, inasmuch as it enables the plant to 

 make up for the time which was lost while the cutting was 

 striking. . 



By this method, perfectly dwarf plants may be flowered m 

 great beauty and perfection. I have at this moment between 

 twenty and thirty plants grown in this manner, not one of 

 which is more than 10 in. high, the greater part with from 

 four to seven or eight flowering branches, according to the 

 nature or habit of the varieties, forming neat litde bushes ; 

 indeed, some of them are not more than 6 in. in height, but 

 yet full of flower-buds. 



Chrysanthemums require plenty of pot room, and the richer 

 the mould the better ; but, when grown as dwarf plants, large 

 pots would not harmonise with their character. 



I am, Sir, &c. 



J. Elles. 



Palace Gardens, Armagh, Oct. 24. 1830. 



Art. XI. On a new Method of propagating Pinks hy Layers. 

 By Mr. Thos. Fleetwood, Gardener at Donnington. Read at 

 the Meeting of the Vale of Evesham Horticultural Society, 

 April 17. 1828. 



At the time of flowering, train the roots in the usual way 

 of preparing carnations for laying ; then take the old root in 

 one hand, and the young branch intended to be layered in the 

 other, and carefully divide them half way through by splitting 

 them downwards with the finger and thumb, moulding up the 

 wounded parts at once with some well sifted light vegetable 

 soil. With the exception of the common red pink, all others 

 succeed better by the above plan ; and the saving of time over 

 the usual way of propagating them is very considerable. The 

 joint between the old and the young parts of the pink root 

 being much harder than those lately formed, it is not so easily 

 injured by the wire worm. 



A small quantity of soot laid next the wounded part will 

 preserve both pink and carnation layers from this destructive 

 insect. 



