PINK. 45 



to bloom more than eight or ten blooms, and those 

 that are weaker, of a less size, not more than 

 four. 



It will be observed that large strong plants 

 will send up a great number of flower-stems, all 

 the weakest of which should be thinned out, a 

 month or six weeks before bloom, as by this 

 means the strong and leading stems which pro- 

 ceed from the heart or centre of the plant, will 

 receive more nourishment, and consequently pro- 

 duce finer flowers, to assist which also all the 

 small lateral pods should be cut off with a pair 

 of scissors. 



As we decidedly object to square beds for any 

 description of flowers that are placed in orna- 

 mental gardens, we recommend that circular holes 

 should be dug out and filled with the proper 

 earth or compost raised somewhat above the level 

 of the border, and that from five to seven plants 

 should be placed in a star shape, at about six or 

 nine inches apart, which will eventually appear 

 as one large plant, and give a much finer effect 

 than a large straggling plant ; for the largest and 

 most bushy plants do not produce the finest 

 flowers, for they naturally put forth numerous 

 but small stems, which one root is not able to 

 support so as to produce a number of fine large 



