PIXK. 47 



There is no doubt tliat tliis flower has been 

 gi-eatly improved by the cultivation of European 

 gardeners since its first arrival from China. 



The JDianthiis Cldncnsis is generally treated as 

 an annual plant, because when raised from seed it 

 produces flowers and ripens its seed in the same 

 year : but the plants may be preserved for several 

 years if planted in a dry soil, or in loamy earth 

 mixed with a portion of old lime rubbish ; and 

 those that are preserved over the winter produce 

 their flowers both earlier in the season and in greater 

 numbers. Those plants intended to be treated as 

 bi-annuals should have their flower-stalks cut down 

 before the seeds are ripe. 



It is recommended to sow the seeds upon a gentle 

 hotbed about the beginning of April, observing to 

 give them free air when the plants appear above the 

 earth. They are generally of a size to transplant 

 in about a month, and they should be planted in 

 clumps of considerable size, as they make but little 

 show when planted singly. 



AVe prefer the China Pink in its single state, 

 because the beautiful marks of colouring on the 

 petals are then seen distinctly, which are obscured 

 when the petals are multiplied ; but as florists in 

 general prefer these plants with double flowers, we 

 shall notice the best mode of procuring them in that 

 state, which is, to draw out all the plants with single 



