60 THE BOOK OF THE CARNATION 



a bit of newly dug ground, at a few inches apart. As 

 the work proceeds, compress the soil firmly. In spring the 

 then well-rooted plants are in fit condition to lift, and to 

 plant where wanted to bloom. But they may be trans- 

 planted at any time, even when in full bloom, without 

 affecting the plants injuriously. This is undoubtedly one 

 of the gems among hardy border plants, and deserves 

 extended cultivation. A recently introduced kind, called 

 Prince of Wales, has close affinities to the above. 



The following are mostly of recent introduction, some 

 of which are best propagated by means of layers, though 

 the majority strike root freely from cuttings or side 

 growths slipped off. 



Dlanthus Abbotsfordianus is a double-flowered mule, with 

 rosy-purple flowers. Raised in Scotland. 



D. Alice Lee is a very pretty double white form, with 

 foliage not unlike a Pink. It is of much value as a low- 

 growing border plant, or for planting in the rockery. 



Dianthus Atkmsoni. This is one of the most gloriously 

 beautiful of the Mule Pinks, and is supposed to have been 

 the offspring of D. chinensis. It was raised about the 

 year 1845 by Mrs. Atkinson, of Bacton Hall, Norfolk. 

 The flowers are blood-red, one and a half to two and 

 a half inches across, borne on slender stems over a foot 

 high. It has never been known to produce seeds, and 

 flowers so profusely that, like D. Napoleon ///., it is 

 difficult to perpetuate, or in many soils to preserve, as 

 after flowering the plant is apt to die. Cuttings strike 

 root freely if inserted among sandy soil in pots in autumn, 

 and kept in a cold frame until rooted. It is, however, 

 not always possible to secure cuttings unless one or more 

 plants have the flowering stems removed as they shoot 

 up, when an abundant crop of young growths will follow, 

 and these must be utilized as cuttings. The plant other- 

 wise is not difficult to cultivate. 



D. compactus. A good form ; pale rose with crimson. 



