420 '^HE PLEASURE, OR [June. 
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 
plunt: it is, therefore, proper in this case, to cut oft' or draw oui the 
small lateral pods, close to the main stem, as soon as they appear, 
in order that the remainder may have time to reap due benefit by 
it; but those sorts that have remarkably large short pod-, abound- 
ing with petals, (commonly called bursters) should be suffered to 
bloom them all, or the greater part, althougli, 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 spovs 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 colour 
on the upper side, and white underneath. 
*3 Description of the Properties of a fine Variegated Double 
Carnation. 
The stem should be strong, tall, and straight; not less than thir- 
ty, 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 ofl' gracefully in 
a horizontally direction, supporting the interior petals; winch siiould 
decrease gradually in size, as they approach the centre, which 
should be well filled with them. All the petals should be regularly 
disposed, and lie over each other in such a manner, as that their 
respective and united beauties may meet the eye altogether; they 
should be nearly flat, or, at most, have but a small degree of in- 
flection 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, narrowing 
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 
ihe same flower, but the purple and pink very frequently. 
