74 
CULTURE OF THE GENUS DIANTHUS. 
The well known wire worms we believe are the larvae of two species of click 
beetles, the Hemirhipus lineatus and obscurus : we never had an opportunity of 
knowing-, from practical observation, but they are stated to continue in the larvae 
state for five years, during which time they feed on the roots of various plants. 
They are exceedingly destructive in newly made gardens, for several years taking off 
almost every crop both of flowers and vegetables. Many means have been adopted 
to eradicate them, some of which have proved successful. The best way appears to 
be that of alluring them by baits of different kinds. This was first suggested by 
Sir Joseph Banks, and has now become pretty generally adopted ; the plan is this 
Where the insects abound, bury at about an inch under the surface of the soil slices 
of either potatoes, turnips, parsnips, apples or carrots, sticking in each slice a small 
wooden skewer, to take it easily out of the soil with, also to mark the spot where the 
bait is buried. Examine these baits every day, or at farthest every other day, and 
kill the insects collected upon them. Some gardeners give preference to sliced beet 
root, or cabbage stumps, or young lettuce plants ; 
whatever is used, there must be no neglect in exa- 
mining and destroying the worms on them. After 
they have fed for five years, they go into the pupa 
state, b, and shortly appear as a chestnut-coloured 
beetle, when their existence appears to be very 
limited. 
Culture of the Garden Pink ( Dianthus plumarius). — The pink has not 
been grown as a florist flower so long as the carnation. Till within the last fifty 
years they were merely grown as border flowers, but so many new and beautiful 
varieties have since been raised, that it is now much prized and cultivated by 
amateurs. It is more hardy than the carnation, and much less expensive. Make 
the beds as follows : — 
44. Mix a quantity of fresh loamy soil with an equal portion of cow-dung, which 
has lain to rot for two years ; and after having removed the old soil a foot and a 
half deep, make the deficiency up with the new compost, raising it somewhat 
higher than the surrounding surface, falling on each side from the centre, to cast 
off any excess of wet, and this should be repeated every successive year. 
45. Plant out in September those intended for blooming the following summer, 
for if delayed until spring, they never flower so well, or show half the beauty as 
under other circumstances. 
46. To have good flowers, the plants must be young, it is, therefore, indispensable 
when this is a desideratum, to raise new plants from pipings every year, because one 
year old plants bloom very superior to those of any other age. 
47. Put in the pipings about the middle or end of June, but never later than 
the first week in July ; they will then be about two inches long. Prepare them 
after the manner recommended for carnations. 
48. When the pipings are prepared, choose a shady part of the garden to plant 
them, and having dug the soil, which must be light and sandy, and smoothly raked 
the bed, water it with a rose watering pot, until the soil is completely saturated ; 
