Ji-n-e.] FLOWER GARDEN. 421 



It is not adviseable to let every pod blow, because it would ren- 

 der each blossom smaller than if only two or three were left on 

 each plant: it is, therefore, proper in this case, to cut oft" or draw 

 out the small lateral pods close to the main stem as soon as they 

 appear, in order that the remainder may have time to reap due 

 benefit by it; but those sorts that have remarkably large short pods 

 abounding with petals, (commonly called bursters,) should be suf- 

 fered to bloom them all or the greater part, although, in general, 

 three or four pods are as many as ought to be suffered to blow on 

 one plant. 



Modern florists divide the carnations into four classes. 



1. Flakes; of two colours only, and their stripes large, going quite 

 through the leaves. 



2. Bizards; with flowers striped or variegated with three or four 

 different colours in regular spots and stripes. 



3. Piqueltes or Piquettees; having a white ground, and spotted 

 or pounced with scarlet, red, purple, or other colours. 



4. Painted Ladies', these have the petals of a red or purple co- 

 lour on the upper side, and white underneath. 



A Description of the Properties of a fine Variegated Double 

 Carnation. 



The stem should be strong, tall, and straight, not less than thirty, 

 nor more than forty-five inches high. The flower should be at 

 least three inches in diameter, and the petals well formed, neither 

 so many as to appear crowded, nor so few as to appear thin. The 

 lower or outer circle of petals, commonly called the guard leaves, 

 should be particularly substantial; they should rise perpendicularly 

 about half an inch above the calyx, and then turn oft' gracefully in 

 a horizontal direction, supporting the interior petals, which should 

 decrease gradually in size as they approach the centre, which should 

 be well filled with them. All the petals should be regularly dis- 

 posed and lie over each other in such a manner as that their re- 

 spective and united beauties may meet the eye altogether; they 

 should be nearly flat, or, at most, have but a small degree of inflec- 

 tion at the broad end: their edges should be perfectly entire, (or 

 what is called rose leaved) without notch, fringe, or indenture. 

 The calyx should be at least an inch in length, sufficiently strong 

 at the top to keep the base of the petals in a close and circular 

 body. The colours should bedistinct, and the stripes regular, nar- 

 rowing gradually to the claws of the petal, and there ending in a 

 fine point. Almost one half of each petal should be of a clear 

 white and free from spots. 



Bizards, or such as contain two or more colours upon a white 

 ground, are esteemed rather preferable to Flakes, which have but 

 one, especially when their colours are remarkably rich and very 

 regularly distributed. 



Scarlet, purple, and pink, are the three colours most predomi- 

 nant in the carnation; the two first are seldom to be met with in 

 the same flower, but the purple and pink very frequently. 



