CULTIVATION OF THE PINK 55 



two- or three-inch dressing of decayed manure has been in- 

 corporated, applying a portion of the less rough to the layer 

 of soil in juxtaposition with the roots. To strengthen newly 

 rooted plants previous to setting in beds it is the practice 

 to establish them first in nursery beds. Where these can 

 be composed solely of fresh material it will be found of 

 much advantage. Loam one part, with leaf-mould and 

 finely triturated cow-dung in equal proportion forming 

 the other part, makes an ideal compost. Place this not 

 more than three inches thick on a firm bottom of coal 

 cinders, compressing it meanwhile moderately firmly, and 

 set the young Pinks in this, at four inches apart each way. 

 When ready to transplant, every plant ought to lift with 

 a closely netted ball of roots. A foot apart will be space 

 sufficient for each in the flowering quarters, and in planting 

 care must be taken not to lower the plant into the soil, 

 but rather to have it elevated, but to an almost imper- 

 ceptible extent, above the surface. If treated as thus 

 advised, beyond stirring the surface of the soil, previous 

 to winter setting in, nothing further will be required till 

 spring, when, on evidence of growth commencing, a 

 slight dressing of sifted pigeon-manure, or, if that is 

 impossible, some other manurial agent should be sprinkled 

 evenly over the surface of the soil. Soot forms a 

 suitable fertilizer too, and may be applied later as an 

 additional stimulant. For exhibition purposes from one 

 to five stems are left on each plant, and these are disbudded 

 in due time, never more than three buds being left to 

 expand. The older florists were particularly careful to 

 tie the calyx of each bloom with a piece of matting in 

 order to preserve it intact, and as it was a cause for 

 disqualification to exhibit a bloom in this condition, it not 

 infrequently occurred that in the excitement of staging 

 a tie was overlooked, and the expectant victor became a 

 disqualified delinquent. Some good exhibition flowers 

 are unfortunately produced by weakly constitutioned 



