60 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



the plants into the house in order " to fumigate them, as this 

 is by far the most effectual method of disposing of the pest. Ear- 

 wigs are troublesome when the flowers are open ; they lurk in 

 the calyx and eat the petals through at their base. They must be 

 destroyed by hand picking, or trapped by hollow beanstalks fixed 

 between the stem of the Carnation and the supporting stick. 



A species of Tylenchus (eelworm) attacks the young layers 

 at their base. The eggs are deposited in the stem or base of 

 the leaves, and the worms feed inside, causing a considerable 

 swelling of the stem, which becomes ruptured, and the plant 

 ultimately dies. Burning the diseased plants is the only way to 

 get rid of the pest, which is usually introduced with the soil. 

 The old soil should be thrown away. 



The Carnation Maggot (Hyehmia nigrescens) has become very 

 troublesome of recent years. It eats down the centre of the 

 young growths, or it will attack seedling-plants as soon as the first 

 leaves after the seed-leaves are formed. Its presence is dis- 

 covered by the decay of the centre leaves, when it must be 

 dislodged by means of a pin or a needle. The maggot is 

 the larva of a small black fly very much resembling a house-fly. 



The Garden Pink (Dianthus plumarius). 



This time-honoured inhabitant of our gardens is presumed to 

 be the original source from which has been derived the beautiful 

 varieties of the Garden Pink. It is a charming, old-fashioned, 

 garden plant, easy to grow, very beautiful, and with, a delicate 

 Clove scent, which to some is more grateful than the, perfume 

 of the Carnation. Many persons can grow Pinks who have not 

 the means to cultivate the Carnation and Picotee ; they can 

 be grown in almost any garden, and require no glass protection 

 at any time. 



Culture.— This is simple enough. The plants should be 

 obtained in the autumn, and be planted out where they are to 

 flower early in October, or even in September if good, strong 

 plants can be obtained. The. object of planting out early 

 is to have them well established before the winter sets in, as 

 alternate frosts and thaws will lift them out of the ground. If 

 this occurs, they must be pressed in again with the fingers, when 

 the ground is in a condition to admit of this being done. 



Another detail which must not be lost sight of is the fact that 

 unless Pinks are planted out early in the autumn, the lacing, 

 which is the first point in the standard of excellence, will not be 



