DIANTHUS DIBBERS 93 



Dianthus, or PINK. Under this head are in- 

 cluded Chinese Pinks, Sweet William, Picotee, Carnation 

 (which see), and the perennial or Grass Pinks. All of 

 them are general favorites. 



The Chinese Pinks (Dianthus Chinensis, or Heddewigii) are 

 now very popular. They are biennials, but flower the first 

 year from seed, and are treated as hardy annuals. They have 

 a wide range of color and markings. Some of them are as 

 double as a rose, and are edged, splashed or lined with other 

 colors. The single ones are very brilliant and are profuse 

 bloomers. Sow seeds where plants are to stand, or if early 

 bloom is desired, start in the house. Set the plants 6-10 

 in. apart. They grow 8-15 in. high. They bloom until after 

 frost. Of easiest culture in any good soil, and should be 

 even more popular. The petals are often quite deeply and 

 oddly cut. 



The Sweet William is an old-fashioned perennial, having 

 flowers of many combinations of color, growing for several 

 years when once planted, but being the better for renewal 

 every two years. Raising new stock from seeds is usually 

 better than dividing old plants. Of late years, the Sweet 

 William has been much improved. 



The perennial garden or Grass Pinks are low- growing, 

 with highly perfumed flowers. They are very useful for 

 permanent edgings, although the grass is likely to run them 

 out unless a clean strip is kept on either side. Divide the 

 old plants when the edging begins to fail ; or 

 raise new plants from seed. Seedlings usually 

 do not bloom much the first year. Usually per- 

 fectly hardy. 



Dibbers are hand tools used for mak- 

 ing holes in which to set plants or to drop 

 seeds. They are better than a hoe or a spade 

 for most transplanting. For small plants, as cabbages and 

 tomatoes, a cylindrical Dibber is generally used. (See the 

 lower one in the cut.) It can be made from an old spade 



