164 CULTIVATION. 



of air and water. The use of small striking- 

 glasses is, that they contain a snnall portion 

 only of air, entirely excluded from the frequent 

 changes of the atmosphere ; but this should be 

 always kept as free as possible from damp, which 

 can be done only by frequent and seasonable 

 airings, on mornings or in mild weather. 



Pipings should be labelled; because, if the 

 plant from which they have been taken prove a 

 run flower^, its progeny will not be worth culti- 

 vation. If a considerable number remain sta- 

 tionary in the first bed, a second is made, to 

 which they are transferred, and which seldom 

 fails to start them. When all are in motion, the 

 glasses may be laid aside. 



The pots containing carnations intended to 

 be layered should be well watered the day be- 

 fore ; and, if exposed to the morning sun for an 

 hour or two before layering, it will give the 



* A run flower is one which runs from or loses that fine 

 variety of colours for which it has been before admired, and 

 by which it has been distinguished. 



