270 Remarks on the Pink Family. 



leaving a considerable portion of the white in the centre perfectly free from 

 any tinge or spot. 



" The eye should consist of a bright or dark rich crimson or purple, re- 

 sembling velvet ; but the nearer it approaches to black, the more it is 

 esteemed : its proportion should be about equal to the white, that it may 

 neither appear too large nor too small." 



When the corolla consists of petals distinctly edged with the color of 

 the eye, it is denominated a laced pink, and is considered the most perfect 

 and beautiful. 



Double China and Double Imperial Pink {Dianthus Chincnsis and 

 D. impcrialis). — The latter is not a distinct species, but an improvement 

 on the former. The flowers are larger, more regular and perfect ; and this 

 appears to be the only difference. They are biennial, but flower profusely 

 from seed the first year. By giving them a slight protection, they flower 

 stronger the second year, after which they perish. If the soil is very wet 

 and cold, it is better to take up the choice varieties, and place them in cold 

 frames, or in a common dry cellar. If they were but fragrant, they would, 

 be more highly esteemed than they are now. For beauty, they will vie with 

 any flower of the garden. They continue in bloom from July to October. 

 By sowing the seed of the double varieties, a great proportion of the plants 

 will bear double flowers, some of them of exquisite beauty. In a large 

 bed, hardly two plants will produce flowers alike : among them may be 

 seen flowers pure white, every shade of scarlet, crimson, purple, pink, and 

 rose ; shaded, striped, spotted, and beautifully marked with darker shades. 

 A bed of these pinks presents a very gay appearance. The height of the 

 flower-stems hardly exceeds a foot. 



Mule Pink {^Dianthtis hybridus). — Of these mules there are a great va- 

 riety, which have been produced by crossing the China and Imperial with D. 

 latifolius, D. barbafus, and D. atropurpiircus^ of which there are many sorts 

 enumerated in the catalogues. Some of them are dwarf, with pure white, 

 striped, purple, and various-colored flowers ; but, unless there are extensive 

 grounds to be ornamented, there are but few people who would be inclined 

 to cultivate them all. 



Broad-leaved dark-purple Pink (^Dianthus latifoUiis airosanguinca 

 hybrida). — This is supposed to be a hybrid between the Sweet William 



