CLOVE CARNATION. 165 



shoots a degree of toughness favourable to the 

 operation. 



While layers are in progress, the only atten- 

 tion they require is to see that they keep steady 

 in their places ; that they do not get too dry ; 

 nor the excised part become too much exposed to 

 the air. 



Should the weather, and all other circum- 

 stances prove favourable, the layers and cuttings 

 will be sufficiently rooted to be potted in six or 

 seven weeks. Pots, forty-eight to the cast, will 

 be large enough to receive three cuttings or layers 

 in each. These pots being drained and nearly 

 filled with compost, the cuttings are carefully 

 raised with a pointed stick or small iron spud, 

 and placed at equal distances round the outside, 

 covered in with compost, and well shaken or 

 lightly pressed down securely in the pot, leaving 

 the surface half an inch below the rim to receive 

 waterings. The layers are cut from their stools 

 just above where the incision was made, raised, 

 and planted in pots in a similar manner. The 

 young plants, after being duly watered, are 



