72 
CULTURE OF THE GENUS DIANTHUS. 
and secured by one of the pegs, not less than half an inch, nor more than an inch, 
below the surface, and raise the extreme point of each as upright as possible ; 
water and shade, as the weather may render it necessary, and they will have struck 
root in three weeks, and be ready to pot off in six weeks. This slit or tongue 
recommended to be made is requisite, to 
interrupt the downward flow of the pulp, 
so as to cause it to form root fibres, while 
the upward flow of sap in the more cen- 
tral parts not being interrupted, the lay- 
ered branch continues to grow as if it 
had not been so treated. 
28. When the layers have struck 
root, cut them off from the parent plants, 
with about an inch of the stalk below 
the incision attached to them, and plant 
in forty-eight sized pots, filled with good loam and leaf mould : a single plant in 
each, if the plants are strong ; if small, two or even three may be planted in each 
pot, placing them round the sides. 
29. When potted, place them under an arch of hoops in an open airy part of the 
garden ; in this situation shelter them, by means of mats, from heavy dashing rains 
and cold winds till winter. 
30. About the middle of October prepare a frame for the reception of the 
plants. In the first place, set it in a warm situation opposite the south, and fully 
exposed to the sun ; raise it from the ground by laying a brick under each of the 
front corners, and two bricks under each of the back ones — this will give a good level 
towards the sun : then proceed to place all round the outsides of the frame not less 
than a foot thick of soil, well trodden down, and raised nearly as high as the top of 
the frame. Next prepare the floor on which the plants are to be placed, first, by 
laying a good floor of lime scraps, and on the top of that, about six inches of coaj 
ashes, on which the plants are to stand. This floor will effectually prevent worms 
from penetrating, and also add much to the warmth and cleanliness of the plants* 
Elevating the frame, also, is far preferable to setting it on the ground, as it is not so 
liable to rot, and the more the plants are raised above the level of the surrounding 
earth, by a thick floor of ashes, &c., the more easily will they be kept from damp. 
31. The frame being thus prepared, remove the plants from the arched hoops 
and place them on the floor of ashes, covering them with glasses in rainy or frosty 
weather. Carnations require very similar treatment in winter to that recommended 
fo** Auriculas , page 10, rules 4 and 5. They will bear a strong frost, if dry, with- 
out receiving material injury ; but if the plants are wet, they usually suffer. 
32. Great care must be taken not to shut them up too close if the plants are 
wet, or they are very apt to become infested with the mildew. When this is per- 
ceived, cut off the infected parts, or remove the diseased plants altogether from 
amongst the others, for the disease will rapidly spread. 
33. In consequence of wet and hazy weather, the soil in the pots will become 
