Remarks on the Pink Faniilij. 267 



REMARKS ON THE PINK FAMILY {Dianthus). 

 Part II. 



By Jo-EPH Breck, Ex-President of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Clove Pink {Dianthus caryophyllus). — This is the original carnation, 

 from which the florists' varieties have been obtained, and is more hardy 

 and robust in its character than those which have sprung from it. Still, in 

 our climate, it is necessary to protect the plants by a light covering of 

 leaves or evergreen-boughs in the winter. The old plants do not flower 

 so well as those raised from layers or cuttings. There is a difference in 

 the fragrance of the varieties of this section of pinks. Some of them 

 have a ver}' strong, agreeable, spicy fragrance ; and all more or less so. The 

 flowers are generally plain, or of one color, with fringed or serrated petals ; 

 some of them very full and double, but not so perfect in form as the im- 

 proved varieties. All the varieties of carnations, except the perpetual sorts, 

 flower but once in the season, which is in July and August. 



Perpetual Carnation Pink, 'Winter-flow-ering, Monthly, Remon- 

 tant, Tree Carnation, (Sec. {Dianthus fniticosus). — This variety of 

 Dianthus caryophyllus is now generally cultivated by florists for bouquets 

 or single flowers, for which there is a great demand from the lovers of flow- 

 ers. The monthly carnation combines the richest and most varied color- 

 ing with exquisite fragrance, but does not have the perfect form or the 

 regular stripes and markings of the florist's carnation ; but has a great 

 advantage over it, because it gives a succession of flowers through the 

 winter in the greenhouse or sitting-room, and, when turned out of the pots 

 in the summer, continues flowering more sparsely through the season. 

 It is best, however, to nip off the buds as they appear in the summer, if 

 strong-flowering plants are wanted for the winter. By retaining the termi- 

 nal or upper growth, the flowering period may be prolonged beyond the 

 winter. " In the spring or early summer months, the plants should be placed 

 in a cool, airy greenhouse, or cool east or south pit throughout the summer, 

 to mature the requisite vigor of growth for bloom. During the warm sum- 

 mer months, the plants should not be placed in any position where a free 

 ventilation of air cannot be afforded by day or night ; and, when the requi- 



