PINK. 331 



For sweetness of most sovereign power 

 Shall help my wreath to fashion ; 

 Whose sundry colours, of one kind, 

 First from one root derived, 

 Them in their several suits I'll bind, 

 My garland so contrived." 



FIFTH NYMPHAL. 



It is more generally believed to be from the French 

 name, girqflier, which is also the name of the Clove-tree, 

 from the similarity of the perfume : Besides the names al- 

 ready mentioned, Gerarde gives several others, Horse-flesh, 

 Blunket, and Sops-in-wine. 



Modern florists have, by their careful culture of these 

 flowers, increased the varieties beyond enumeration. Pinks 

 also, commonly so called, are infinitely varied. Pinks, 

 Carnations, and Sweet- Williams are increased in various 

 ways; but, as their culture demands much attention and 

 experience, the better way of securing handsome varieties 

 will be to purchase them in the pot, which may be done 

 at a small expense ; and, as they are chiefly perennial, 

 even that need not often be incurred. 



These plants, when in blossom, should be sheltered 

 from the noon-day sun ; but suffered to enjoy it in the 

 early part of the day. In dry weather, they should be 

 watered every evening. If the buds on the sides of the 

 stalks are removed, and the top ones only left to blow, they 

 will be much handsomer : should they incline to break 

 through the pod on one side in an unsightly manner, it 

 should be notched in two other places, at equal distances, 

 with a pair of fine scissors, to give them freedom. 



When the bloom is past and the leaves decay, the stalks 

 should be cut down ; water should then be given but twice 

 a week, observing by no means to use raw spring water. 

 They should be sheltered from frost, and in the spring will 

 again shoot forth in full beauty : they must not be placed 



