CULTURE OF FLORIST FLOWERS. 79 



ART. 4. The Carnation and Picotee. 



The Carnation requires precisely the same culture as the 

 Picotee ; I shall therefore retain them under the same head ; 

 and with these the Pink also might be classed, with a very 

 little variation of culture, in this climate. 



This delightful family of plants, of which Dianthus is the 

 generic name, (from Dios, divine, and anthos, flowery fra- 

 grance,) is highly deserving a more general cultivation ; for it 

 is certain that the Carnation and Pink are among the prettiest 

 ornaments of the flower garden of the season, and, being na- 

 tives of Britain, require only a little protection during winter, 

 to have them in the greatest perfection. 



Before I proceed with directions for the culture of these 

 plants, it will be proper to give a definition of their different 

 varieties and characteristics, as acknowledged by florists, and 

 in doing this, I cannot do better than copy an excellent article 

 on the subject from the " Floricultural Cabinet," written by 

 Mr. John Frederic. He says 



" This flower is divided into several classes, and of late 

 years these have been increased, indicated by the color of the 

 flowers. There are now shown, at different exhibitions in 

 the country Scarlet Bizarres, each petal being striped with 

 two colors, scarlet and a dark maroon, on a white ground, 

 varying in intensity in different sorts. 



" Crimson Bizarres ; the stripes also consisting of two 

 colors, but approaching in their tint more to a rose-color 

 and purple. In this class, there is a subdivision, styled 

 pink and purple, which are lighter and more lively in their 

 shades. 



" There are yet three other classes, consisting of Flakes. 

 Their colors are scarlet, rose, or pink, and purple of various 

 hues; some being many shades darker than others in each of 

 the divisions. After the flakes, come the varieties called 

 Picotees or Carnations, with either spotted or striped margins 

 to their petals. Of these there is a very great variety, and 

 they may be classed under the heads of scarlet, red, rose- 



