916 



THE PKACTICAL GARDENEK. 



which would much injure tlieir colours and hasten the decay of 

 their flowers. Those which seem disposed to burst, should 

 be assisted as already directed for carnations, and neatly tied 

 up to sticks to support the flower. 



CRITERION OF A FINE DOUBLE PINK. 



Florists consider that a fine pink should not be less than 

 twelve inches in height, having a stem strong, elastic, and 

 erect ; that the calix should in form and proportion be like 

 that of the carnation, but of course smaller; that the flower 

 in its formation should also agree with the formation of that 

 flower, and be not less than two inches and a half in diameter. 

 The petals should be large, broad, and substantial, and finely 

 fringed or serrated round their edges, but not so much so as 

 to a})pear in deep notches or indentures. The finer the fringe 

 is, the nearer they approach to perfection ; and those are con- 

 sidered the finest which are perfectly entire, or what florists 

 term rose-leaved, that is, without any fringe whatever. The 

 broadest part of the petal, that is, the part farthest from the 

 eye, should be perfectly white, and distinct fiom it, unless it 

 be a laced pink ; that is, one which is so called from its being 

 ornamented by a continuation of the color of the eye round 

 it ; bold, clean, and distinct, leaving a considerable portion of 

 white in the centre, perfectly free from any tinge or spot. The 

 eye should be equal in proportion to the white, or nearly so, 

 and the darker it is the better. Bright or dark rich crimson 

 or })urple, resembling velvet, is esteemed, but the nearer it ajv 

 proaches to black, the higher it is prized. 



SOWING MIGNIONETTE FOR WINTER AND SPRING USE. 



Mignionette has long been a popular flower ; the agreeable 

 fragrance of its bloom has long insured it a place in our gar- 

 dens and rooms. During summer it is a plant of the easiest 

 culture, and will grow in any soil or situation ; like all other 

 aromatic plants, its fragrance is most powerful when grown in 

 light barren soil, fully exposed to the sun. To have.it in 

 perfection during winter has long been considered a deside- 



