June.] FLOWER GARDEN. 423 
then to be cleared of what has fallen on it, and should be stirred 
up about an inch deep: the pot is then to be filled up nearly level 
with some light rich compost, not of too tine a grain. 
The incision immediately follows: the knife should have a small, 
thin, and very sharp blade; it is to be introduced on that side the 
layer next the ground, in a sloping direction upwards, to commence 
a quarter of an inch below the second or third clean joint from the 
extremity, and continue through the middle of that joint, and half 
or three quarters of an inch above it, the small portion left under 
and connected witli the joint is to be cut off horizontally, quite 
close to the bottom of the joint, but not into it, as it is from the 
outer circle of the bottom of the joint that the fibres proceed, con- 
sequently, that part should not be injured. 
After the incision is made, which should be through the middle 
of the joint, &c. , and the lower part dressed as before directed, the 
layer is to be gently forced down to the earth with great care to 
avoid breaking it off, or even cracking it at the joint, which would 
prevent a due communication of the juices of the old plant, so 
necessary for the support of the layer, till it has formed sufficient 
root to support itself; it would likewise render it more likely to 
decay on the application of water. 
The layer is to be held down to the surface of the earth by one of 
the pegs before described, which is to be forced into the soil close 
behind the joint where the incision was made, observing at the 
same time to keep the slit a little open; and it is to be observed that 
the joint from whence the fibres are expected to proceed should be 
covered about an inch deep with good compost earth, and not 
deeper; for the influence of the air is necessary to the free rooting 
of the layer. The remainder of the stalk of the layer should lay, 
as much as possible, upon or above the surface of the pot, but must 
by no means be covered too deep. 
Carnations and pinks, growing in the open ground, in beds or 
borders, &c. , may be propagated by laying them in like manner as 
above, or either may be propagated by pipings, as follows: 
Piping Carnations and Pinks. 
For this purpose it is necessary to form a bed of fine light mould, 
or old compost earth, which should be moderately moistened and 
rendered rather compact than otherwise; then take a hand or bell- 
glass, and with it mark its dimensions on the surface of the soil, 
in order to know where to stick in the pipings, so as to lose no 
room, or endanger their being disturbed when the glass is placed 
over them. 
The cuttings intended to be piped are to have two complete 
joints, that is to say, they are to be cut q^ horizontally close under 
the second joint; the extremities or points of the leaves are like- 
wise to be shortened as for laying, which will leave the whole length 
of the piping about two inches: as soon as thus prepared they may 
be thrown into a basin of soft water for a few minutes to plump. 
They are then to be taken out of the basin singly, and forced into 
