98 CARNATIONS AND PINKS 



burrows in the soil, but unlike the wireworm, which 

 eats into the stem underground, it devours the leaves ; 

 sometimes, owing to over-feeding, it will remain at the 

 base of the plant. When the Pinks have made some 

 growth in April, it is wise to give a surface dressing 

 with decayed stable manure, and when dry weather 

 sets in water copiously once or twice a week. The 

 quantity of water required, and the frequency of 

 applying it, will depend greatly on the nature of the 

 soil. If the soil is heavy, and water does not pass 

 away quickly, it might not be often required, or even 

 not at all. On a light soil, over gravel, the maximum 

 quantity of water may be needful. Neat sticks should 

 be used to keep the flowers from the ground. Very 

 little gardening skill is required to grow Pinks. 



All that is necessary is good garden soil, well dug 

 up before planting, and the ground between the 

 Pinks should be kept free from weeds. Layering 

 may be accomplished when the plants are in flower, 

 or after their beauty is over. The slips are also 

 exactly right to take off when the plants are in flower. 

 In dry seasons seed may be saved from plants in the 

 open garden, but in wet and cold weather it will not 

 ripen even in the south of England. I cultivated the 

 Pink for many years in Scotland, but was never able 

 to save seed there. The capsules should be dried, 

 gathered, and the seed taken out two weeks after- 

 wards. I may add that one of the Pinks often in- 

 quired about is the Mule Pink. One of the earliest, if 

 not the earliest, hybrids raised in England was a 

 Mule Pink. We are indebted for it to an amateur of 



