CHAPTER XXVI 



THE CARNATION AND THE PINK 



THE great family to which the carnation, the picotee and 

 the pink belong is very appropriately designated dianthus 

 (Greek, dios, divine, and anthos, a flower), hence the Divine 

 Flower. This is not the place, nor indeed is there room to enter 

 upon a historical survey of the dianthus in its multitudinous 

 varieties. My purpose in this chapter is simply to set down a few 

 cultural hints regarding two of its most familiar forms namely, 

 the border carnation and the pink. 



The ever-increasing popularity of the border carnation is easily 

 accounted for. Apart altogether from its graceful beauty and 

 in many but not all varieties, its scent it is of an accommodating 

 habit, and is an especially valuable adjunct to the town and city 

 garden, since it will be found to luxuriate abundantly, in spite 

 of grime, smoke and soot, in places where it would be utterly im- 

 possible to induce the rose to attain to perfection. Moreover 

 the carnation does not require too rich a soil. In its wild form 

 (dianthus caryophyllus) it is to be found flourishing on the walls 

 of ruins and this fact provides a hint for the gardener of 

 which he has not been slow to take advantage. It has taught 

 him the value of old mortar and lime as desirable ingredients 

 for inclusion in the soil in which he intends to grow his 

 carnations. 



The beginner in carnation growing will probably secure his first 

 small collection of young plants from the florist. He will be wise 

 at first to confine his attention to those varieties that are of proved 

 stamina and may therefore be confidently recommended for 

 outdoor border cultivation. Here is a list from which he may 

 choose : 



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