WINTERING CARNATIONS. 
7 
water, and thus assist in keeping the plants dry, a most essential 
thing in wet foggy weather, and also to prevent the ingress of 
worms to the bottoms of the pots; this is generally admitted to 
be necessary, and for the purpose nothing can be more effective. 
Saw-dust, as recommended by “ Senex,” will not do either. I 
am such an advocate for cinders for this purpose that I never 
allow any to be thrown away, but preserve them constantly, and 
never place a plant growing in a pot out of doors without first 
spreading a thick layer of them for the plant to stand upon ; 
but, after they are done with, remove them entirely. 
I believe I have sufficiently explained this subject, and now 
must take the liberty to point out a most fatal objection to the 
propagation of Carnations and Picottees by cuttings, not as 
directed against the method employed by “ Senex,” than which 
nothing can be more simple or efficient, if it was desirable so to 
increase them, but against the entire system : In the first place, 
it is not quite certain that cuttings do make better plants than 
layers; secondly, it entails far more trouble, not to mention the 
great danger incurred of misplacing the names, and the conse¬ 
quent confusion that would ensue; and last, though of the first 
importance, the cuttings must be taken off in the early part of 
June, or they will not make sufficient root to remove before the 
winter. Now this very time happens, unfortunately,- to be just 
the blooming season, and I cannot reconcile myself to the 
“ cutting and maiming” that must necessarily take place, to say 
nothing of the weakening effect it has on the plants, and the 
consequent deteriorated bloom. These objections are not the 
result of reading your correspondent’s letter, but they are often 
thought of and long since settled convictions, for it was not 
without the authority of some experience I at first ventured to 
intrude on your notice. With many apologies for thus far tres¬ 
passing on your valuable pages—I am, Sir, yours, 
Philo-Caryophyllus. 
