114 CARNATIONS AND PINKS 



biennial species, reproducing itself freely from self- 

 sown seed. It is generally found wild on dry banks or 

 gravelly pastures, having a wide distribution, spread- 

 ing not only over a great part of Europe, but extend- 

 ing into Western Asia. It is also naturalised in some 

 parts of the United States. Self-sown seedlings form 

 a rosette of short and broad green leaves the first 

 year, from which the branching stems — two feet high — 

 are produced in the following spring. These stems 

 bear loose cymes of red flowers with dark spots. 

 The flowering time is in July and August. 



D. barbatus (the Sweet William). — This species, 

 which is known to every country child in its varietal 

 stage, came from the mountain meadows of South 

 and Eastern Europe over three centuries ago. It is 

 from twelve inches to two feet high, the leaves broad 

 and of a fine green colour, and the flowers bearded 

 and in colour red, with a zone near the base of the 

 petals. They appear in large, loose heads. Few 

 biennials are more popular than the quaint Sweet 

 William of English gardens. It is of strong growth, 

 hardy, and has been much improved of late years, 

 many varieties surpassing the wild plant in the beauty 

 of their flower colouring and in the size of the clus- 

 tered heads of blossom. There are several sections, 

 such as the " Auricula Eyed," and the selfs, but the 

 most telling in groups are those without spots or dots 

 of colour on the petals, simply a pure and beautiful 

 shade ; it may be crimson, rose, pink, or pure white, 

 and the salmon shades I think are the most charming 

 of the whole series of Sweet William selections. The 



