194 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
very well in the open ground by letting them remain with 
the parent plant, and covering them with leaves and pine 
boughs; but the most certain way is, when the layers 
have taken root, to pot them, and at the approach of win- 
ter put them ina frame where they may be kept with per- 
fect safety, provided air is given them in mild weather, 
and they are not exposed to the sun when in a frozen 
state. The mice are very destructive to all Pinks; there- 
fore the frame must be tight. 
Carnations are arranged by florists into three classes, 
viz: Flakes, Bizarres, and Picotees. Flakes have two 
colors only; their stripes are large, going quite through 
the petals. Bizarres are variegated, in irregular spots and 
stripes, with not less than three colors. Picotees have a 
white ground, spotted or pounced with scarlet, red, pur- 
ple, or other colors. The finer sorts are regularly edged 
with these colors, on a clear white or yellow ground. 
The petals of a perfect flower should be rose-leaved, or . 
with entire edges; the flower should be filled up in a reg- 
ular manner with petals of this description. It flowers 
in July. Ona strong plant the stem will be three feet 
high. 
The propagation of the Carnation by layers is a very 
simple operation. When the plant is in perfection of 
bloom, lay around it one and one-half or two inches of 
compost, first gently stirring the surface so that it may 
mix well; remove the lower leaves of the shoots selected ; 
pass the pen-knife, slanting upwards, half through the 
joint; fasten the shoot, where so cut, about two inches 
under the surface, with a small hooked peg, bending 
carefully so as not to break it at the incision; then fix it 
firmly by gently pressing the earth around with the fin- 
gers, and finish by cutting off about half an inch of the 
upper extremities of the leaves with scissors. The sap 
soon begins to granulate at the wound, and throw out 
