34 THE FLORIST AND 



I>ianthus belongs to the class Decandria, and order Monogjnia of Lin- 

 ncean, and the order Caryophyllese of the natural system of botany. The 

 geographical range of this interesting family is, with two or three excep- 

 tions confined to the European continent and adjacent islands, being mostly 

 Alpine in character, the greater part are found in mountainous regions. 

 But although the Old World is its fatherland, most of the species do equally 

 well in the New, the pure dry atmosphere of which is conducive to its well 

 doing. Hence we find the cultivation to be most easy when suitable cir- 

 cumstances are provided; and these circumstances -are very simple. 



Amongst the most desirable are D. plumosus, superbus, caesius, deltoides- 

 Caryophyllus, (the Carnation) Armeria, (the Catchfly) barbatus, (Sweet 

 William) atrorubens, chinensis, capitatus and hortensis. It is the last, vlfy 

 hortensis that I would at present treat of. Having become a recognised 

 "Florist's Flower" more attention has been paid to it than to any of the 

 others with the exception of the Carnation, and it is now generally known 

 (though not very characteristic) as the Pink. There have been different 

 opinions respecting the originality, as being a species distinct in? itselfr 

 Some have considered it as a sub-species of D. Caryophyllus, while others 

 think it has proceeded from D. deltoides, but there is as much probability 

 from external habit and appearance, and likewise in the peculiarity of its 

 adaptedness in cultivation and propagation that? D. plumosus is the original 

 parent, if it has emanated from any one of them. D. Caryophyllus is very 

 changeable from seed, which I have often proved, but these changes always 

 run into a different style of inflorescence to that of the Pink. The D. del- 

 toides may have contributed somewhat by a cross with D. plumosus, but the 

 latter contains in itself every element in structure, habit, and general ap- 

 pearance to show to any one at all acquainted with hybridization, that a 

 class of flowers similar to the present common kinds might soon be obtained? 

 and if so, certainly through them up to the present best prize varieties.- 

 Another proof is, that, from seed D. plumosus, though subject to change in 

 the flower, still retains the general character, while the habit of the plant, 

 which is very like the pink, is mostly the same. Now it is just as likely that 

 our present subject is as original as are the others, if there is any originality 

 about the matter, but if we are to have an affiliation, let us have the most 

 likely parent. The fact is, the whole genus so far as I have had the oppor- 

 tunity of observing will fertilize with each other so readily, that if two or 

 more are growing in near proximity, and blooming at the same time, there 

 will be in the next generation from seed a whole host of differences ; there- 

 fore when it is intended to keep the Pink from being contaminated with 

 others, be careful to keep it from their influence. Some of the species when 

 judiciously crossed produce the most beautiful hybrids, not only in color, 



