DIANTHUS, Nat. Orel. Caryophyllacec^. 
A splendid genus of the most beautiful perennials grown. The Sweet William, [Dianthus 
barbahi<;,) the Carnation and Picotee, {D. caiyophylhis,) and the Garden Pink, [D. horlensis,) 
belong to this genus ; but, as they do not flower 
until the second season, will be described in the 
proper place. The species known as D. Chi- 
nensis, embracing the old Chinese Pink, very 
much improved of late years, and the new and 
superb varieties from Japan, known as D. Hed- 
dewigii and laciniatus, are among the most 
brilliant and useful of our garden flowers. The 
last two run into many varieties, the result of 
hybridization, with flowers of monstrous size 
and varied and rich in coloring. Plants of the 
tall growing sorts are from twelve to fifteen 
inches in height, while the dwarf kinds make 
handsome low, compact bushes, excellent for 
the garden and unsurpassed for pots. Seed 
may be sown in the spring, under glass or in a 
seed-bed. Easily transplanted. Set the plants 
from six to twelve inches apart, according to 
varieties — the dwarf sorts only about six inches. 
The Dianthus flowers freely during the whole 
summer. If the flowering is checked by prun- 
ing, so as to keep the plants vigorous, they will 
usu ally survive the winter well, and make most 
beavitiful plants the second season, even much 
better than the first. If allowed to flower too freely, they are sometimes so weakened as to be 
unable to bear the winter without suffering great injury, if they escape destruction. Seed sown 
late in the spring will produce strong young plants for the second season's flowering. The Dwarf 
sorts especially, and, in fact, all kinds, make very good house plants, if not kept too warm. In 
this family there has been veiy great improvement in the past few years, so that now flowers grown 
from seeds of the common China Pink are far superior to anything known among the China or 
Japan Pinks ten years ago. The engraving shows a flower of a good double Pink, of natural size. 
The single varieties are so brilliant in color that they are prized by some persons even more than 
the double sorts, and for beautiful markings and rich coloring few flowers equal the single Japan 
and China Pinks. 
DOUBLK DAISY, (Bellis,) Nat. Ord. Compositcz. 
Every one knows and loves the Daisy. It has been the favorite flower of the poets from 
Chaucer down. Even the Daisy of the field is beautiful and poetical. The cultivated double 
kinds are so good, and their merits so well known, that they need neither 
description nor praise at our hands. Unfortun- 
ately our climate is too dry for the perfection of 
the Daisy, and it is only in early spring or in 
favored locations, or where water is freely used, 
that we can see the Daisy in its prime. Plenty 
of water and shade, however, will do the work. 
Plants of good sorts can usually be procured, but 
seed sown either in the hot-bed or open ground 
will produce plants that will give a few late flowers the first season. A portion coming from seed 
will always be single, and these can be removed. The plants should be about six inches apart 
when set, so that when in perfection they will about cover the ground. For a single line or 
border, the Daisy is unsurpassed. Plants do not always bear a Northern winter without injuiy, 
and sometimes suffer in dry seasons. A cold-frame in winter, and a cool North border in sum- 
mer, will insure success. 
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