ON florists' flowers. 6 1 



perfect. Spring-planted Pinks put on the lacing badly, or not 

 at all. They are sometimes grown in pots ; but in this way 

 the lacing never comes out well. 



Any good garden soil is suitable for the Pink, but it ought 

 to be worked to a depth of about i8in., and should be enriched 

 with a liberal dressing of decayed manure ; it ought also to be 

 in a good easy-working condition at the time of planting. 

 Florists who make a speciality of the Pink, prepare beds for it, 

 and the plants are set out some 9in. asunder, and the same 

 distance between the rows. If the soil is rather heavy, or not 

 in a good working condition, the plants have a much better 

 chance if they can. have some soil prepared similar to potting-soil 

 placed around the roots. This gives them a fair start, and may 

 even mean the difference between success and failure. Stirring 

 the ground between the plants with a Dutch hoe keeps down 

 weeds, aerates the soil, and does much good. When hot 

 weather sets in, the surface of the ground should be mulched 

 with decayed manure, and if water is required this should be 

 given freely — merely wetting the surface soil is of no use ; it 

 must reach the roots. The plants are sometimes eaten over in 

 the winter by an unseen enemy. It may be rabbits, but it may 

 also be what gardeners term the Leather Jacket, or larva of 

 the Crane Fly, or Daddy Long Legs {Tipiila oleracea). This is 

 really a troublesome pest, and can best be destroyed by watching 

 for it with a good lamp at night. It burrows in the ground, and 

 is seldom found feeding by day. 



Propagation is effected by pipings, by layers, and, to obtain new 

 varieties, from seed. The first is the usual method. The growths 

 at the base of the flower-stems are slipped off, and inserted in fine 

 soil in a garden-frame or hand-light, but they must not be shut 

 up too close, or they are likely to damp off. They may even be 

 put out in the open garden, in a shady part, and when this is 

 done a cloudy, damp day should be selected. The pipings should 

 be put into the ground with the finger, pressed firmly, and after- 

 wards watered with a fine rose. The end of June or beginning 

 of July is a good time to insert them. If the growths are layered, 

 this may be done about a month earlier than the Carnations, 

 and in a similar way. Seed may be sown in the spring, 

 and the plants will flower the following season. They 

 should be planted out in the open garden, and be treated 

 exactly as advocated in the case of the named varieties 

 of Carnations. 



