126 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



flower is a mere variety of the Carnation, or a distinct spe- 

 cies of itself. I do not pretend to be a botanist, therefore 

 cannot tell if there really be a distinction between the two. 

 I have saved the seeds of the Carnation and sown them, the 

 result being nothing more to my comprehension, than Pinks, 

 not one seedling having the least affinity to the parent plant. 

 From this I should judge the Carnation to be a mere va- 

 riety. Then, again, when we consider the risk of the Car- 

 nation growers themselves, that are in the habit of saving 

 and sowing their own seeds, it being mere chance when a 

 Carnation is produced. It is considered that if a grower 

 raises one new variety in his life time, he may be a for- 

 tunate man. 



The difference most perceptible in the Carnation is, that 

 it is more robust than the Pink ; whether there exist in re- 

 ality a difference is as yet unsettled with the florist ; but so 

 far as public opinion is concerned there is a difference. 

 They should, therefore, be treated as separate plants. Of 

 the Pink there are many varieties ; all are not florists' flow- 

 ers. Of the common kinds, the "Pheasant's Eye" is the 

 best, and the treatment of one is applicable to all but the 

 fine kinds, which are managed like the Carnation. The 

 Pink is more hardy than the Carnation, and will strike 

 more readily from cuttings. This has been the principal 

 way of propagating them, until recently, when it was dis- 

 covered they would grow readily from slips, and make 

 stronger plants in less time than by pipings. 



To propagate from seed, the best plan will be to sow 

 them in March, in pans or boxes, and when six leaves are 

 formed, transplant them into a bed about four inches apart, 

 and in September transplant them to where they are intend 



