THE PINK FAMILY OUTDOORS 317 



planted into some inconspicuous part of the vegetable 

 garden, where the soil is deep and firm and there is a 

 free circulation of air (not between tall peas and sweet 

 corn), as for the first summer these pinks have no 

 ornamental value, other than the pleasurable spec- 

 tacle made by a healthy plant of any kind, by virtue 

 of its future promise. Before frost or not later than 

 the second week in October the pinks should be put 

 in long, narrow boxes or pots sufficiently large to hold 

 all the roots comfortably, but with little space to spare, 

 watered, and partly shaded, until they have recovered 

 themselves, when they should be set in the lightest 

 part of the cold pit. During the winter months they 

 should have only enough water to keep the earth from 

 going to dust, and as much light and air as possible 

 without absolutely freezing hard, after the manner of 

 treating lemon verbenas, geraniums, and wall-flowers. 



By the middle of April they may be planted in the 

 bed where they are to bloom, and all the further care 

 they neeoV will be judicious watering and the care- 

 ful staking of the flower stalks if they are weak and the 

 buds top-heavy, and by the way, as to the staking 

 of flowers in general, a word with you later on. 



In the greenhouse, pinks are liable to many ail- 

 ments, and several of these follow them out-of-doors, 



