DIANTHUS. Ill 



sion of flowers from June to October ; which are large, of a 

 fine blue, purple or white, double and single, and often spotted 

 or shaded on each petal with copper color on the dark varieties, 

 or with green on the white. Leaves palmate, (hand-shaped,) 

 many parted. 



It is propagated by dividing the roots in the spring, about the 

 time it begins to vegetate, or it may be divided with success in 

 August. By sowing the seed, new varieties may be expected, 

 which, if done early, will flower in autumn. Nothing is more 

 pleasant than to originate a new variety. It must not be sup- 

 posed, however, that there will be much chance short of a hun- 

 dred plants. It has flourished with me in a variety of soils. It 

 will, in fact, grow anywhere without difficulty, only requiring 

 to be divided every few years, when the roots become large. 

 It is said to be a native of Siberia, and, of course, must be 

 hardy. 



Among a multitude of beautiful seedlings of my own raising, 

 I have selected two as worthy of cultivation. The one named 

 Delphinium Breckii, No. 1, has large double flowers of the 

 most exquisite blue, which display themselves from June to 

 November. It is generally acknowledged to be finer than the 

 Double Chinese. The plant is more erect in its growth, from 

 two to two and a half feet high; the color a clear, light, 

 vivid, ultramarine blue. 



Breck's No. 2, is darker colored than the last, and not quite 

 so double, but makes a fine show. 



DIANTHUS. 



Pink. 



Dianthus, signifying the flower of God, or divine flower; 

 so named on account of its preeminent beauty. Most of the 

 species of this genus are highly valued, not only for the beauty 

 of their flowers, but also as being evergreens ; their foliage, 

 during winter, being as abundant and as vivid as in summer. 



