CULTURE OF PINKS 45 
CULTURE OF PINKS 
This is a very simple process, and success can be at- 
tained with very little practice. The cuttings or pipings 
are taken from the old plants at about the end of June or 
early in July. A piece of ground should be prepared on 
the north side of a wall or fence, and the pipings may be 
inserted therein. At that time of the year the weather may 
be hot and dry, but, as the pipings are prepared, they may 
be thrown into a dish of water, which fills them with mois- 
ture. If care is taken to sprinkle them after they are in- 
serted in the soil, they will not suffer at all; or, if they can 
be planted in a frame, they will strike roots more quickly, 
Pinks may also be propagated by layering in the same 
way as Carnations. Some fine compost must be prepared 
for them, say, one part leaf-mould, one part fine loam, and 
one part white or river sand. The pipings will form roots 
in three or four weeks, and they may be planted in beds at 
about 3 or 4 inches asunder, to be again planted out about 
the end of September, where they are to flower. Pinks 
are well adapted for planting in the rock garden, the margin 
of herbaceous borders, or in beds. The soil for Carnations 
and Roses suits Pinks admirably—indeed, they are not so 
particular as to soil as Carnations, and plants, if allowed to 
remain a second year, or even three years, without removal, 
will flower well each season; but they should be given 
a surface-dressing of rich compost, such as a compost 
consisting of loam and decayed manure in equal quan- 
tities. Pinks are perfectly hardy, and capable of resisting 
the severest winter weather. They are amongst the most 
