38 THE FLORIST AND 



the best character, they ought to be grown from strong single crowns, and 

 not have any long straggling portion beneath ; without this precaution, the 

 colors are apt to run or be undecided in marking. The British Florists 

 propagate mostly by pipings, (which are simply the tops of the shoots) and 

 struck under hand glasses, but here the heat is generally too great for this 

 method at the most suitable time, and if put in without glass, even in a 

 shaded spot, they are apt to die off. After trying different methods I have 

 found layering the best and most expeditious. 



Our present little pet has escaped more than perhaps any other class from 

 the quack notions and nostrums which are so generally prescribed, for too 

 rich a compost only injures it and makes the colors run. The most suitable 

 soil is a fresh loam only ordinarily fertile, the top spit of a pasture with a 

 fourth part cow dung, and both thoroughly rotted together, is as good a base 

 as can be desired. Care should be used that there are no wire worms (the 

 larvse of Elytra) in the soil, as they are very destructive, not only to the 

 Pink, but also to the Carnation, 



Where perfection is studied it is best to have nothing else in the same 

 bed, which may be twelve inches deep of the above named material. Plant 

 the middle of September, about eight inches apart, and make the soil some- 

 what solid around the neck of the plants, but do not bury too deep. If dry 

 weather should occur give a good soaking of water, but keep as dry as pos- 

 sible through the winter. At the approach of severe weather cover over 

 the bed with cedar or other like branches, which will prevent the plants from 

 being lifted by alternate frost and thaw, Towards the middle of March is a 

 good time to uncover, when a top dressing of an inch deep and the same 

 compost will greatly invigorate the plants and assist the bloom. As the 

 flower stems approach towards blooming, have in readiness a quantity of 

 slender twigs, fix one to each plant and tie loosely with soft thread. When 

 the flowers begin to expand if it is desired to have them quite perfect, ex- 

 amine the pods and if they appear to be opening more on one side than the 

 other, take a pen knife and slit the closed divisions equally, but not so far 

 as to let the petals fall down and out of place; at the same time tie a small 

 thread round immediately under where slit, this will prevent "bursting" and 

 keep the flower uniformly in shape. If there be during blooming a thin 

 covering of muslin fixed over the bed and raised sufficiently high above the 

 flowers so as not to rub them, the flowering will be considerably prolonged, 

 and the colors much more distinct and clear. 



Where it is desirable to save seed, and keep the progeny in class charac- 

 ter, each class ought to be kept separate, and the flowers assisted by artifiV 

 cial impregnation, choosing those of the same class with good markings to 

 hybridize with. 



