28 



SCIENCE OF CxAEDENIXG. 



called l':iiicrin[i y< performed, vrliicli C'J^=^isl^: of interruptiDg 

 the passage of the pulp downvrards. by maki'^g an upAvard 

 slit with a penknife half through the siem, candt by several 

 other methods ; then, fixing the cut part a little under 

 ground with a hooked peg, root-nbres vrill form, and the 

 rooted layer may, of course^ be removed, and planted 

 elsewhere. 



The operation of layering being an important one. and 

 capable of being performed on a great number of plants, it 

 is highly necessaiy that it slioukl be properly understood. 

 Much depends on the manner in which the slit 'Or incision 

 is made ; for, in layering carnations, if. by any means, the 

 knife be suffered to pass mc^re than half way through the 

 stem, it will be exceedingly liable to be brokei], or even to 

 rot ofi\; therefore, the knife (vrhich must be a very sharp 

 one) should be guided with great care, and the incision 

 commenced about a Cjuarter of an inch below the joint to 

 be layered, passing the blade of the knife precisely through 

 the centre of the stem, to abotit half, an inch above the 

 joint : then cut off, neatly and smoothly, the tip or end. of 



The operation of layering siiown in the Carnation. 



the tongue thus formed, as, if this is left jagged or rough, 

 it will absorb too much moistttre.and be very liable to rut, 

 thus preventing the layer from rooting. The layer should 



