CHINA PINK. 105 



March, in a rich, light soil ; when the plants are about one 

 inch high, transplant them round the border, or in a bed ; 

 the border is preferable, for when the flower expands, if 

 single, it can be pulled up and replaced with some others, 

 which would not appear so well if in a bed. Save none but 

 double, for, rest assured, if you allow any single to remain, 

 the seed of your double will be good for nothing. The 

 benefit will result the second season, which is the best 

 time to save seed, for the most double will seed more 

 freely than those of the first. Seeds of the second year 

 will produce unquestionably better plants, and will aver- 

 age two-thirds double flowers, while those of the first 

 will not produce one-third ; and if the single be allowed 

 to remain in the bed, the probability is that all will 

 prove single ; a want of this knowledge is why this de- 

 lightful biennial has been neglected. The mule of the 

 China Pink and Sweet William will generally produce 

 their flowers so luxuriantly as to cover the foliage, im- 

 paiiing a most gorgeous sight rarely seen in other 

 flowers. The China Pink is perfectly hardy, still, like 

 many other flowers, protection will improve their beauty, 

 and flower earlier. 



