854 I'LORISTS' FLOWERS. 



peat, loam, and leaf mould, the weak straggling wood being 

 cut out, so as to conduce to their forming long stout rods, 

 upon which they will bloom most profusely when brought into 

 the forcing house in winter. The single- flowered species are 

 best adapted for this purpose. They are natives of the East 

 Indies and Japan. 



DiANTHUS. 



Under this head we refer more particularly to the varieties 

 oi Dianthiis caryophyllus, which are commonly called Perpetual 

 or Tree Carnations — plants which are .admirably adapted for 

 early forcing. They are such abundant bloomers, that they 

 should be grown by every one who wishes for a good displa 

 of flowers early in the season. They are increased by pipings, 

 which is only another term for cuttings. The pots for their 

 reception should be prepared in the same way as for other 

 cuttings ; the shoot should be cut through clean at a joint 

 and slit. When the pot is full, stand it upon a gentle hot- 

 bed, well shaded from the sun, unti rooted, when they may 

 be potted singly and grown for one season without being 

 allowed to flower. At the end of December or the beginning 

 of January, the plants, which will be set with buds in autumn, 

 will be in full beauty, continuing to give a succession of their 

 beautiful flowers during the whole winter ; and in the spring, 

 if planted out of doors, they will yield an abundance of fine 

 flowers for cutting, and produce fine growths for pipings. 

 The soil to grow these plants in successfully is rich turfy 

 loam, well-decomposed cows' or sheep's manure, good leaf 

 mould, and sharp sand, in about the proportions of three parts 

 of the first to one of each of the latter ; let it be frequently 

 turned before using to ensure its thorough mixing, and in 

 order that any wireworms which may be in it may be dis- 

 covered and destroyed, for the wireworm is the deadly enemy 



