224 THE FLOWER-GARDEN. [CHAP. VIIL 



sun, and a stake to tie it to, in order to keep 

 the stalk erect. Clove carnations bear the 

 same relation to florists' carnations, as unbroken 

 tulips or self-coloured auriculas do to the finer 

 flowers. The tree carnation is a half-shrubby 

 variety of the same species, and the mule pink 

 is generally said to be a hybrid between the 

 carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus) and the 

 sweet-william (Dianthus barbatus). Both these 

 may be treated as common perennial border 

 flowers. 



The Pink. — It is remarkable that, though 

 the pink is a commoner and hardier flower than 

 the carnation, it is not known in a wild state, 

 and it does not appear to have been much cul- 

 tivated till the latter half of the last century, 

 though it is said to have been introduced in 

 1629. Its. origin is, indeed, very uncertain; 

 some botanists considering it as a variety ot 

 the carnation, and others making it a distinct 

 species, under the name of Dianthus plumarius. 

 There are now many named sorts, and the best 

 laced pinks rank as florists' flowers, their cul- 

 ture being the same as that of the carnation. 

 The other kinds are considered inferior, and 

 are grown like common herbaceous plants in 

 the open borders. 



The Heart n-ease has only within the last 

 few years ranked as a florists' flower. It had 

 long been a favourite in gardens, as its innu- 

 merable popular names may testify; but it was 

 reserved for a young lady, aided by an indus- 

 trious and intelligent gardener, to show the 

 world the extraordinary variations of which the 

 flower is susceptible. About the year 1810 or 



