220 ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE PINK. 



As the eailiest blooms begin to open, the most diligent attention 

 will be requisite, because, as the pods swell, they must be tied, to 

 prevent unequal expansion ; with bass, or, what is better, rice-bag 

 matting. Some of the thin podded kinds it is only necessary to tie 

 once round, but the stout ones require tieing as they swell ; for, if 

 tied too tight at first, they will burst in the sub-calyx. It is remark- 

 able how soon the stout pods will burst, if not tied in time. In order 

 to facilitate their opening, a plan generally adopted, is to ease the 

 divisions of the pod with the point of a knife, which greatly assists 

 them, as it will also to subdivide the calyx, or pod, into ten segments, 

 instead of five. 



Immediately a bloom unfolds two or three of the first, or guard 

 petals as they are generally denominated ; it will require to be placed 

 on a card, in the usual manner, taking care that it goes on the pod 

 sufficiently tight to support itself; in this stage the bloom can be 

 greatly assisted by easing the petals as they are ready to expand with 

 the point of the dresser. 



In order to have blooms in the finest order for exhibition, it will be 

 found necessary to shade the early ones to keep them back, and 

 place glasses over such as are later to bring them forward. It is of 

 little consequence what sort of shade is used ; but the most simple is 

 one with a tube in the centre, having a nut and screw attached ; the 

 tube goes on the stick, and the screw fastens it thereto; the same 

 plan acts well also for glasses, and is a preventative against wind 

 overturning them. Besides this, another admirable plan is now 

 observed by many Pink growers, who use what is termed a table, 

 which consists of a piece of wood something similar in shape to a 

 child's battledore, with a hole in the handle to fasten to a stick going 

 in the ground, or, in other words, to the leg of the table. In this 

 table is a slit three inches long, and large enough to admit the stem 

 of a Pink to its extremity ; after which introduction the slit is filled 

 up with moss or wool, to prevent earwigs or other insects frpm 

 attacking the flower. In addition, this plan is not only secure, but 

 very convenient ; as a common garden pot placed on the table over 

 the flower protects it as well from sun, wet, dust, wind, or insects. 

 And if it is requisite to bring the flower forward, a small bell-glass, 

 substituted for the pot, answers the purpose, and forces the bloom 

 rapidly. 



The usual period appointed when exhibitions of Pinks take place 



