ON THE PINK. 125 



but rather that it should not have received the more particular at- 

 tention also of florists and amateurs of a higher standing and place. 



Such is the enthusiasm that prevails amongst these pink-growers, 

 that almost every town in the district has clubs and societies exclu- 

 sively for promoting its culture amongst them and the exhibition of 

 its specimens. And the order with which these shows are conducted, 

 and the fair play and justice that is afforded all parties, sets an ex- 

 ample worthy of imitation by all our Floral and Horticultural So- 

 cieties throughout England ; and which would, if adopted, probably 

 counteract the rapid fall and declension of many of them. 



My neighbour gardener is a pink-grower of considerable extent ; 

 he is an old practitioner and the regular prize-champion at all the 

 shows. As but one fence separates us, I have ample opportunity all 

 the year round of learning and observing the entire process of his 

 mode of culture. Having availed myself of this opportunity, a short 

 account of it will not perhaps be altogether void of interest and 

 instruction. The system he pursues is very simple : he generally 

 sets his plants about the latter end of September or the beginning of 

 October; he first digs and prepares his bed, which is of light sandy 

 soil, to which he adds a little loam or decayed vegetable mould, if 

 able to procure it. He then strews the bed over an inch and a half 

 thick of fresh horsedung or manure-litter, such as he has, and sets 

 his plants. He does not disturb them afterwards till spring, when he 

 lightens up the surface and refastens with his finger those plants 

 whose roots have been forced up by the frost. I here must not 

 forget to mention the great diligence he uses in seeking and destroy- 

 ing the slugs and other vermin that prey about the beds. These are 

 the # greatest foes a pink-grower has to contend against, and he must 

 carefully look after them at all seasons, or all his hopes will be 

 blighted and frustrated. In the blooming season also he manifests 

 great care in securing the pods, and sheltering them from rain and 

 weather. This he usually accomplishes by means of boards six or 

 eight inches square, or pieces of glass, fastened to a stick by any me- 

 chanical contrivance that may suggest itself. The latter mode is 

 however far the best, as it gives the flower the full advantage of the 

 sun without exposing it to rain, except the flower requires keeping 

 back for show, when boards are best. He supports the petals behind 

 with a round pasteboard cap, in the same manner as the Carnation. 



