95 2 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



cut quite through, and consequently the sap is stopped on its 

 return. The whole is buried well in the ground in such a 



manner that the cut 

 portion remains in 

 a moist condition. 



TONGUEING. 



This mode of layer- 

 ins is widely prac- 

 i"*~— tised. An incision 

 is made partly 

 through the branch 

 lengthwise, and 

 varies in size ac- 

 cording to the 

 dimensions of the 

 layer (see Fig. 

 6 1 8, a). A peg is fixed above the incision, and soil inserted 

 between the tongue and the stem. This method is chiefly 

 resorted to for Carnations (Fig. 619). In the case of hard- 



Fig. 618.— Layering (a) by Tongueing, or 

 Heeling, and (b) by Ringing. 



I-'ig. 619. — Layered Carnation Shoot. 



Sjpoded subjects, it would be necessary to put a wedge in the 

 cut to keep it open. 



Piercing is another simple and ordinary way of layerirtg. 

 Like all other underground methods, the selected layer . is bent 

 downwards, and the under part of it, forming the base of the 

 curve (as shown in Fig. 620), is cut or punctured with a sharp 

 knife. There should not be any bruises, the cut being made 

 quite cleanly to prevent decomposition. Many growers prefer to 

 remove a notch or eye found at the base of the layer as shown 



