DIANTHUS, Xat. Ord. Caryophyllaceu:. 



A splendid genus of the most beautiful perennials grown. The Sweet William, (Dianthus 

 barbatus,} the Carnation and Picotee, (D. caryophylltts,} and the Garden Pink, (D. hortensis,} 



belong to this genus ; but, as they do not flower 

 until the second season, will be described in the 

 proper place. The species known as D. Chi- 

 nensis, embracing the old Chinese Pink, very 

 much improved of late years, and the new and 

 superb varieties from Japan, known as D. Hed- 

 dewigii and laciniatus, are among the most 

 brilliant and useful of our garden flowers. The 

 last two run into many varieties, the result of 

 hybridization, with flowers of monstrous size 

 and varied and rich in coloring. Plants of the 

 tall growing sorts are from twelve to fifteen 

 inches in height, while the dwarf kinds make 

 handsome low, compact bushes, excellent for 

 the garden and unsurpassed for pots. Seed 

 may be sown in the spring, under glass or in a 

 seed-bed. Easily transplanted. Set the plants 

 from six to twelve inches apart, according to 

 varieties the dwarf sorts only about six inches. 

 The Dianthus flowers freely during the whole 

 summer. If the flowering is checked by prun- 

 ing, so as to keep the plants vigorous, they will 

 usu ally survive the winter well, and make most 

 beautiful plants the second season, even much 

 better than the first. If allowed to flower too freely, they are sometimes so weakened as to be 

 unable to bear the winter without suffering great injury, if they escape destruction. Seed sown 

 late in the spring will produce strong young plants for the second season's flowering. The Dwarf 

 sorts especially, and, in fact, all kinds, make very good house plants, if not kept too warm. In 

 this family there has been very great improvement in the past few years, so that now flowers grown 

 from seeds of the common China Pink are far superior to anything known among the China or 

 Japan Pinks ten years ago. The engraving shows a flower of a good double Pink, of natural size. 

 The single varieties are so brilliant in color that they are prized by some persons even more than 

 the double sorts, and for beautiful markings and rich coloring few flowers equal the single Japan 

 and China Pinks. 



DOUBLE DAISY, (Bellis,) Nat. Ord. Composite. 



Every one knows and loves the Daisy. It has been the favorite flower of the poets from 

 CHAUCER down. Even the Daisy of the field is beautiful and poetical. The cultivated double 

 kinds are so good, and their merits so well known, that they need neither 

 description nor praise at our hands. Unfortun- 

 ately our climate is too dry for the perfection of 

 the Daisy, and it is only in early spring or in 

 favored locations, or where water is freely used, 

 that we can see the Daisy in its prime. Plenty 

 of water and shade, however, will do the work. 

 Plants of good sorts can usually be procured, but 

 seed sown either in the hot-bed or open ground 

 will produce plants that will give a few late flowers the first season. A portion coming from seed 

 will always be single, and these can be removed. The plants should be about six inches apart 

 when set, so that when in perfection they will about cover the ground. For a single line or 

 border, the Daisy is unsurpassed. Plants do not always bear a Northern winter without injury, 

 and sometimes suffer in dry seasons. A cold-frame in winter, and a cool North border in sum- 

 mer, will insure success. 



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