128 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



will much improve their flowers. When the plants begin 

 to spindle up to flower, the safest way will be to put sticks 

 to them and tie them up, as their stems will be brittle ; this 

 will prevent accident. The character of the Pink is simi- 

 lar to the Carnation (with the exception that its dimensions 

 are much smaller) ; it flowers nearly at the same time, from 

 June to July, depending entirely on the season. 



The Pink is easily crossed, as it seeds freely, wtth the 

 exception of the larger and very double kinds. The pro- 

 cess of crossing should be performed very early in the 

 morning ; and the pollen should be transferred to the flower 

 two or three times in the day. If the flower begins to 

 fade within twenty-four hours after the operation, you may 

 conclude your object has been effected. A mild day is the 

 best for the operation. A 1-arge bed of Pinks make one of 

 the best shows known in the floral line. Their fragrance 

 is delightful, surpassing all conception. The Pink is most- 

 ly cultivated for the beauty of its flowers ; but the Clove 

 Pink is the one selected for medical purposes, possessing a 

 strong aromatic odor, which resembles the clove ; the taste 

 is a sweetish bitter, and astringent. The properties of the 

 Clove Pink are easily extracted with alcohol or water, and 

 by distillation a fragrant oil is obtained, which is used with 

 other medicine. In Europe there is a great trade made in 

 this line of business by the cottagers, in whose gardens this 

 evergreen perennial can be seen during m.d-winter, when 

 every other plant is suffering by the inclemency of the 

 winter. 



