HERBACEOUS FLOWERS 



77 



itself, as the various species differ considerably in habit 

 and growth. The herbaceous species, which are also 

 tender in winter, and require plenty of water while 

 flowering, are propagated by separation of the stool, and 

 by seeds for new varieties, which are now very nume- 

 rous, and have attained the rank of florists' flowers. It 

 is curious that the shrubby and the herbaceous Calceo- 

 larias hybridize freely together. They all like a large 

 proportion of leaf-mould in their soil. 



Carnation — Dianthus cai^yophyllus. — Another florists' 

 flower, which would occupy all the remaining space in 

 this Book, if allowed. For what it must be, as an Exhi- 

 bition flower, see G-lenny's " Properties." Of the Pico tee, 

 that gentleman pronounces, " The properties of form are 

 similar to those of the Carnation ; but the distinction 

 between Carnations and Picotees is, that the colour of 

 the former is disposed in unequal stripes, going from the 

 centre to the outer edges, and that of the Picotees is 

 disposed on the outer edges of the petals, and radiates 

 inwards ; and the more uniformly this is disposed, the 

 better." The choicest varieties of both these flowers are 

 named ; and new ones, raised from seed, are constantly 

 appearing in the Nurserymen's advertisements, for which 

 see the Gardeners' Chronicle. The wild Carnation, like 

 several other species of Dianthus or Pink, is found grow- 

 ing luxuriantly on the tops of walls and similar arid 

 spots. In the south of Europe, the garden Carnation is 

 treated accordingly, and delights the casual passenger by 

 displaying pendent heads of flowers in unlooked-for sites. 

 The fact gives a hint in respect to culture ; Carnations 

 are injured by too much moisture. In beds, they are 

 usually grown in light rich mould, composed of calca- 

 reous loam, silver-sand, leaf-mould, and rotten cow-dung. 

 A lady betrayed the secret of her great success with Car- 

 nations, by setting her foot on the bed, wherein it sunk 

 ankle-deep. Perhaps the good drainage thereby insured 

 was literally at the bottom of her triumphs ; for pot Car- 

 nations have mostly the earth pressed firmly down about 

 them. Propagate, and also maintain the excellence of 



