CULTURE OF THE GENUS DIANTHUS. 
69 
These flowers are usually propagated by layers, but they will also grow by 
pipings ; and new varieties are raised from seed. 
As very double flowers seldom produce seeds, they are not to be depended upon 
for it ; but in selecting plants for the purpose, always- — 
1. Choose such plants as possess the very best properties in every other respect 
except being double ; that is, let the colours be clear and vivid, the petals strong, 
and well placed, and in every other respect answering to the above description. 
2. When these plants are selected, separate them from the rest, and place their 
pots upon a stage, in any open situation in the garden, sheltering the flowers from 
rains, by the covers hereafter described. 
3. Give them a regular supply of water, until the seed is perfectly ripe, which will 
take place in August, which will be known by the seed-vessels becoming brown, 
' and the seeds nearly black. This must be particularly attended to, for if gathered 
too soon, by far the greater part will be unproductive. 
4. It is always the best to carefully draw out the withered petals as soon as they 
become dry, because they are liable to cause mouldiness by retaining a certain 
portion of moisture. 
5. When the seed is gathered, allow it to remain in the capsule until the middle 
of the following May, for it keeps much better in this way than when shaken out 
into paper. 
0 . 6. Sowing Seed .— Fill some pots or pans with the compost in which the plants 
are recommended to be potted, precisely on the same system as that recommended 
for Auriculas, page 10 ; lay a little flne sifted soil over them, just sufficient to cover 
the seed ; place the pans in an airy part of the garden, keep the soil moderately 
moist, and shade them from the heat of the sun and dashing rains. 
7* When the seedling plants are three inches high, and have six leaves, plant 
them out on a bed of rich mould, composed of good loam and rotten dung, equal 
parts. Plant them in rows, about ten inches apart in the row, and twelve inches 
from row to row. 
8. When planted out, fix a quantity of hoops over the bed, and by means of 
mats, or other similar covering, shelter them from the effects of rains and frosts. 
By these means they will usually flower the following summer. 
9. Soil . — Some distinction should be made in the soil for the strong and high- 
coloured carnations, which usually do not require a soil quite so strong and rich as 
the more delicate ones. Therefore, for the strong and high-coloured bizarres and 
picotees, take two barrowsful of light rich maiden loam, and one barrowful of well 
rotted dung from a cucumber bed, and half a barrowful of river sand. For the rose 
and purple flakes and delicate picotees, take two barrowsful of good rich loam and 
two barrowsful, at least, of well rotted dung, and half a barrowful of river sand: 
mix and chop these well together in the autumn, and turn the compost two or 
three times during winter, but never pot in sifted soil. 
10. All the very choice kinds must, to have success, be grown in pots. The 
best sized pots for the purpose are twelve inches deep and ten inches wide at top, 
with a good sized hole at the bottom, and three or four small holes round the sides 
