June, July.] LAYING CARNATIONS AND PINKS. 109 
equal as in carnation. Those that are very tasteful with 
these flowers are attentive to the manner of their opening. 
Where the calyx is deficient in regular expansion, to display 
the petals ; that is, where there is a tendency to hurst open 
on one side more than on the other, the opposite side in two 
or three different indentations should be slit a little, at 
several times, with the point of a small sharp knife, taking 
care not to cut the petals, and about the centre of the calyx 
tie a thread three or four times round to prevent any further 
irregularity. Some florists and connoisseurs place cards on 
them. This is done when the calyx is small. Take a piece 
of thin pasteboard, about the size of a dollar, cut a small 
aperture in its centre to admit the bud to pass through. 
When on, tie it tight to the rod, to prevent the wind from 
blowing it about; and when the flower is expanded, draw up 
the card to about the middle of the calyx, and spread the 
petals one over the other regularly upon it. When these 
plants are in flower, their beauty may be prolonged by giving 
them a little shade from the mid-day sun by an awning of 
any simple description. Where they are in pots, they can 
be removed to a cool shady situation (but not directly under 
trees). 
OF LAYING CARNATIONS AND PINKS. 
This is a necessary and yearly operation to keep a supply 
of plants, and likewise to have them always in perfection. 
As the process of laying, though simple, may not be known 
to all who are desirous of cultivating these plants, we will 
give an outline of the mode of operation. Provide first a 
quantity of small hooked twigs (pieces of Asparagus stems 
are very suitable), about three inches long, for pegging the 
layers down in the earth. Select the outward, strongest and 
lowest shoots that are round the plant; trim off a few of the 
under leaves, and shorten the top ones even with the knife, 
and then applying it at a joint about the middle of the under 
side of the shoot, cut about half through in a slanting direc- 
tion, making an upward slit toward the next joint, near an 
inch in extent; and loosening the earth, make a small oblong 
cavity one or two inches deep, putting a little fresh light 
earth therein. Lay the stem part where the slit is made 
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