HARDY PLANTS. 
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crimson lake ; Eastern Queen, single, lilac marbled ; albus 
white, double; Fireball, double, scarlet; laciniatus, single, 
various colours, flowers large, petals deeply cut; laciniatus 
flore pleno, double; Salmon Queen, single, salmon; Nanus 
sanguineus, crimson, double, dwarf ; Nanus albus, white, 
double, dwarf. A mixed packet of seed of D. chinensis or D. 
Heddewigii will give a wonderful variety of colours. 
Perpetual-flowering Pinks are a comparatively new race 
obtained by intercrossing various species. They are note- 
worthy for their free-growing and flowering properties, blos- 
soming from early summer right up to November. They have 
stiff, erect, branching stems, and the calyces do not split. 
For border culture, and for yielding flowers for cutting, these 
Pinks are unsurpassed. Their culture is quite a simple matter. 
Sandy loam, well enriched with old manure, is the most 
suitable soil. In the case of heavy, retentive soil, which is 
naturally cold in spring, deep digging, or what is better still, 
trenching should be practised, and road-side refuse, wood 
ashes, decayed vegetable matter spread on rhe surface and 
lightly forked in. Frequent stirring of the surface soil will 
do much good, and should a spell of dry weather set in while 
the flower stalks are throwing up, a mulching of half-decayed 
horse manure and wood ashes will do much to feed the plants. 
Plenty of moisture at the roots while in a growing state, and 
a constantly stirred surface soil, are necessary. Propagation 
may be carried out in various ways. The most ready method 
is that of pulling the plants in pieces in July and August after 
they have done flowering, and dibbling these pieces firmly in 
in rows ten inches apart and four inches in the rows, choosing 
showery weather for the work. By the end of the following 
March the plants will be well-rooted stocky stuff quite fit 
to plant out where they are to remain a couple of seasons. 
Another method of propagation where larger numbers are 
required is to slip off all available pipings or cuttings from 
June onwards, inserting them in a cold frame in sandy soil, 
keeping the frame closed and shaded for a time until roots are 
formed. . When new growth is perceptible give air gradually 
to induce a stocky habit. When the plants are well furnished 
with roots put them out into nursery beds in well worked soil 
to remain there for a season, or be planted where to flower 
at once. The following is a selection of choice varieties : 
Princess Christian, white with deep crimson markings, the 
calyx especially firm; height, 15m. ; habit sturdy, with dark 
green “ grass.” Ernest Ladhams has blooms of great size, 
especially fragrant, and of a lovely soft pink colour, with a 
compact, yet robust habit of growth. Marion has foliage of a 
rich dark glaucous colour, extra stiff flower stems, carrying as 
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