40 FLORA HISTORICA. 



be found under the head of Carnation. The most 

 rare varieties are propagated by layers, but they are 

 more generally increased by pipings, which should 

 be taken off the plants immediately previous to, or 

 during the time of flowering ; about midsummer is 

 the general season for this operation, which is the 

 same as that of piping Carnations. 



When roots of Pinks become old and woody, they 

 should be taken up either in the autumn or early in 

 the spring, and divided into slips, which will become 

 good plants if set tolerably deep, and kept moist 

 until they have made new roots. The grass leaves 

 should also be cut short when the slips are planted* 

 and all withered leaves carefully removed. 



The Pink is one of the most desirable flowers we 

 possess as an ornament for apartments, since its 

 odour is rather of a refreshing than a faint nature, 

 and it retains its beauty longer without fading, when 

 placed in water or sand, than almost any other 

 blossom : and as it is less affected by the steam of 

 hot dishes than flowers in general, it is well calcu- 

 lated for the epcrgne of the dinner table. Its deli- 

 cate long stalks also enable the hand of taste to dis- 

 tribute the Pink into more graceful groups than 

 can be formed of heavier blossoms. 



The plain White Pink is made to represent 

 purity of sentiment ; and the Red Pink is the em- 

 blem of talent, in floral language. 



