JuNEi] FLOWER GARDEN. 42X 
It is not adviseable to let every pod blow, because it would ren- 
der each blossom smaller than if only two or three were left on 
each plant: it is, therefore, proper in this case, to cut oft' or draw 
out the small lateral pods close to the main stem as soon as they 
appear, in order tliat the remainder may have time to reapdue 
benefit by it; but those sorts that have remarkably large short pods 
abounding witli petals, (commonly called bursters,) should be suf- 
fered to bloom them all or the greater part, although, in general, 
three or four pods are as many as ought to be suffered to blow on 
one plant. 
Modern florists divide the carnations into four classes. 
1. Flakes; of two colours only, and their stripes large, going quite 
through the leaves. 
2. Bizards; with flowers striped or variegated with three or four 
different colours in regular spots and stripes. 
3. Piquettes or Fiquettees; having a white ground, and spotted 
or pounced with scarlet, red, purple, or other colours. 
4. Painted Ladies; these have the petals of a red or purple co- 
lour on the upper side, and white underneath. 
A Description of the Properties of a fine Variegated Double 
Carnation. 
The stem should be strong, tall, and straight, not less than thirty, 
nor more than forty-five inches high. The flower should be at 
least three inches in diameter, and the petals well formed, neither 
so many as to appear crowded, nor so few as to appear thin. The 
lower or outer circle of petals, commonly called the guard leaves, 
should be particularly substantial; they should rise perpendicularly 
about half an inch above the calyx, and then turn oft' gracefully m 
a horizontal direction, supporting the interior petals, which should 
decrease gradually in size as they approach the centre, which should 
be well filled with them. All the petals should be regularly dis- 
posed and lie over each other in such a manner as that their re- 
spective and united beauties may meet the eye altogether; they 
should be nearly flat, or, at most, have but a small degree of inflec- 
tion at the broad end: their edges should be perfectly entire, (or 
what is called rose leaved) without notch, fringe, or indenture. 
The calyx should be at least an inch in length, sufficiently strong 
at the top to keep the base of the petals in a close and circular 
body. The colours should be distinct, and the stripes regular, nar- 
rowing gradually to the claws of the petal, and there ending in a 
fine point. Almost one half of each petal should be of a clear 
white and free from spots. 
Bizards, or such as contain two or more colours upon a white 
ground, are esteemed rather preferable to Flakes, which have but 
one, especially when their colours are remarkably rich and very 
regularly distributed. 
Scarlet, purple, and pink, are the three colours most predomi- 
nant in the carnation; the two first are seldom to be met with in 
the same flower, but the purple and pink very frequently. 
