THE WILD PINKS 115 



shading is sometimes dark and sometimes light, but 

 always clear and even brilliant, which the brightest 

 sun does not dim, and there is no suspicion of purple 

 or any unpleasant tone. This group deserves to be 

 widely known, and in some well chosen place in the 

 border it is a delight for many weeks. One knows 

 the Sweet William is near from the fragrance that 

 floats through the air even when the sun shines 

 full on the open blooms at midday. The seed may 

 be sown when ripe, which will be in late summer, in 

 a selected spot out of doors, or in pots in a cold frame. 

 Prick out the seedlings when large enough to handle 

 outdoors, and transfer to the border or wherever they 

 are to go in autumn. Another way is to sow in 

 March or early April in a cold frame, pricking out 

 in the usual way, and then transplanting. Another 

 way to propagate is to divide the tufts in Sep- 

 tember, and by striking cuttings in June from about 

 half-ripened shoots. These should be dibbled firmly 

 in under hand-glasses, watered carefully, and when 

 rooted transplanted elsewhere, and then to their per- 

 manent places. The usual way, however, is to in- 

 crease the plants by seed, and in time self-sown 

 seedlings will appear in profusion ; it is interesting 

 to watch these open their flowers. D. b. latifolius is 

 a form with broader leaves and clusters of larger 

 flowers, which are rich crimson in colour, a plant of 

 great beauty. Double varieties are sometimes grown, 

 but they are heavy, and not free from an objection- 

 able lumpiness, and the colours are less pronounced. 

 One exception must be named, the double crimson, 



