162 CULTIVATION. 



joint above. The knife is withdrawn, and the 

 small portion of the stem attached to and below 

 the severed joint of the tongue is next cut off 

 horizontally, close below, not into the joint. 

 The bottom part of the layer is then to be fixed 

 down close upon the surface by a hook placed 

 just behind the incision ; and the extremity 

 raised rather upright, so that the tongue may be 

 separated some little distance from that part of 

 the stem whence it has been cut ; propping the 

 extremity secure by pressing the earth closely 

 about it. It is almost needless to add, that the 

 shoots, being brittle, and especially after the 

 incision is made, they are easily broken ; so that 

 they require very gentle handling while fixing 

 them in due position. 



Many layers are lost, or prevented striking 

 kindly, by being covered too deep. The end of 

 the tongue, from whence the new roots chiefly 

 proceed, should not be more than about half an 

 inch beneath the surface. This circumstance 

 should be particularly attended to in the treat- 

 ment of carnation layers and cuttings, as well as 



