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A CHAPTER ON PINKS. 283 
A CHAPTER ON PINKS. 
BY J. SLATER, FLORIST, CHEETHAM HILL, NEAR MANCHESTER, 
Tue following particulars on this charming tribe we extract from the 
“ Midland Florist.” It is from the pen of a celebrated Florist; and 
as our Magazine contains several articles in past volumes on the differ- 
ence existing as to the proper qualities of a Pink between the South 
and North growers, we feel persuaded it will be acceptable to our 
readers. 
‘“‘ The following are the properties of the Pink Jaid down in Lanca- 
shire and Yorkshire for nearly forty years :— 
‘‘ The stem should be strong, elastic, and erect, and not less than 
twelve inches high; the calyx rather smaller and shorter, but nearly 
similar in form and proportion to that of a Carnation ; and the size of 
the flower should not be less than two inches and a half in diameter.* 
‘“¢ The petals should be large, broad, and substantial, and have very 
fine fringed or serrated edges, free from large deep notches or indenta- 
tions; but the best are termed rose-leaved, that is without any fringe 
at all. 
‘** The eye should be perfectly round, and of a bright or dark rich 
crimson or purple, resembling velvet ; but the nearer it approaches to 
black the more it is esteemed. The proportion should be about equal 
to that of the white, that it may be neither too large nor too small. 
The broadest part of the lamina, or wide end of the petals, should be a 
clear snowy white, and quite distinct from the eye, without spot or 
tinge ; except it be a Laced Pink, that is, one which is so called from 
its being ornamented by a continuation of the colour of the eye round 
each petal, called its lacing, which should be bold, clear, and distinct, 
leaving a considerable portion in the centre perfectly, free from tinge 
or spot. A red-laced Pink ought to be of a bright light red, and the 
nearer it approaches to scarlet the more highly it is prized. { 
** Much difference of opinion exists as to whether there should be a 
white edging beyond the Jacing. I am of opinion that the lacing 
ought to come to the edge, as in the picotee, and show not the least 
white. This is generally adopted in the North; and as the properties 
laid down, or rather acted upon, have been strictly adhered to from 
time immemorial, I am induced to adopt this system; besides, the 
Pink is of the same family as the Picotee, and if one is to have an 
edging of white, why not the other? ‘The moon, or centre of the 
Pink, has been adopted by Mr. Glenny, in his diagram of the flower, 
and he has Jaid down some beautiful standards. I consider that point 
* The pod ought to be long, which will prevent it from bursting. Too many of 
the southern varieties have what may be termed a marble pod, that is nearly round, 
and require great care to prevent them bursting. The flower ought to make a true 
circle, without indenture. 
+ The flowers ought to consist of at least sixteen petals, and be perfectly free 
from those numerous small ones which so generally prevail in the southern 
varieties. 
{ There are three classes of Pinks shown in the North— Black and White, Purple- 
laced, and Red-laced. ‘The first portion alludes to the Black ard White, the centre 
of which ought to be a true circle, or, as it is termed, a moon, without the slightest 
starring to the edge, as the ground of some Auriculas do, The lacing of a Purple 
or Red Pink ought to be the same colour as the eye. 
