172 The Pink. 



cayed manure, and one part of coarse sand, (and if convenient 

 leaf mould may be used,) mixed well together; give them a 

 little water, and as soon as frost is over, plunge the pots in the 

 ground where they are intended to grow until in flower, the 

 rims being just level with the surface of the ground. Place a 

 neat stick in each pot, to which tie up the flower stems as they 

 advance in growth, and water them in dry weather. When 

 the buds begin to open, the pots can be lifted and removed 

 where they are wanted to bloom, and if they are placed on a 

 verandah, or in some other situation where they are partially 

 shaded, the flowers will last much longer, and be finer colored 

 than if exposed to the full sun. When the calyx has swelled to 

 nearly its full size, it is apt to burst and let out the petals on 

 one side, which destroys the beauty of the flower, and to avoid 

 this, the calyx should be tied neatly round with a piece of 

 twine, or a narrow slip of bladder be placed round it, the ends 

 of which should be lapped over each other, and fastened with 

 gum. 



Seeds are seldom used in propagating carnations, except for 

 raising new varieties ; but, says the Florist's Directory, when 

 they are required, they should be chosen from those flowers 

 that have not many petals, but their petals should be large, 

 broad, substantial, and perfectly entire at the edge, and their 

 colors rich and regularly distributed. Neither layers nor 

 pipings should be taken from those plants which produce seeds ; 

 and as soon as the petals wither, they should be drawn care- 

 fully out of the calyx, as the claws are apt to decay and en- 

 gender mouldiness, which will destroy the seeds. The seeds, 

 when ripe, should remain in the seed-vessel, and be kept in a 

 dry room till May, when they should be sown in pots, in light, 

 rich mould, or carnation compost, and kept in the open air, or 

 in an airy part of the garden, shaded from the heat of the sun, 

 till the plants are about three inches high, when they should 

 be planted out in a bed of good rich mould, about ten or 

 twelve inches apart, and kept there till they flower, when it 

 will be seen what are deserving of' being kept, and what 

 should be thrown away. No carnations are esteemed that 

 are not round, and regularly formed, and clear in color. 



