CULTURE OF PINKS 45 



CULTURE OF PINKS 



This is a very simple process, and success can be at- 

 tained with very little practice. The cuttings or pipings 

 are taken from the old plants at about the end of June or 

 early in July. A piece of ground should be prepared on 

 the north side of a wall or fence, and the pipings may be 

 inserted therein. At that time of the year the weather may 

 be hot and dry, but, as the pipings are prepared, they may 

 be thrown into a dish of water, which fills them with mois- 

 ture. If care is taken to sprinkle them after they are in- 

 serted in the soil, they will not suffer at all ; or, if they can 

 be planted in a frame, they will strike roots more quickly. 

 Pinks may also be propagated by layering in the same 

 way as Carnations. Some fine compost must be prepared 

 for them, say, one part leaf-mould, one part fine loam, and 

 one part white or river sand. The pipings will form roots 

 in three or four weeks, and they may be planted in beds at 

 about 3 or 4 inches asunder, to be again planted out about 

 the end of September, where they are to flower. Pinks 

 are well adapted for planting in the rock garden, the margin 

 of herbaceous borders, or in beds. The soil for Carnations 

 and Roses suits Pinks admirably indeed, they are npt so 

 particular as to soil as Carnations, and plants, if allowed to 

 remain a second year, or even three years, without removal, 

 will flower well each season ; but they should be given 

 a surface-dressing of rich compost, such as a compost 

 consisting of loam and decayed manure in equal quan- 

 tities. Pinks are perfectly hardy, and capable of resisting 

 the severest winter weather. They are amongst the most 



