8 
THE GENUS D1ANTHUS. 
with branches from one foot to four in length, according to the 
habit of the plant, and in every case they ought to be clothed 
with leaves to the margin of the pot; at this time, or soon after, 
the resting period should commence, when the best position for 
them is a cold pit, kept close for a few weeks, and afterwards 
gradually opened till the plants stand in an ordinary greenhouse 
temperature; this, with moderate supplies of water, will carry 
them safely through till the time arrives for their readmission to 
the stove, which taking place in September, a few weeks of the 
increased warmth experienced there will bring out the flowers, 
and their continuous display will alone render the erection pleasing 
through the whole of the winter. 
Propagation is readily effected in spring by inserting moderate¬ 
sized cuttings in sandy soil, and plunging them in a brisk bottom 
heat. With such as the greater part of the species contained in 
Pleroma, Melastoma and Osheckia , the finest specimens will be 
produced by plants only two years old, after which they become 
too large for ordinary collections. The subject of the ac¬ 
companying plate was selected as the most familiar illustration 
of the order conveniently obtainable; it is one of the best of our 
winter flowering plants. 
FORCING THE GENUS DIANTHUS. 
In the genus named in the heading of this paper we are pre¬ 
sented with a group of handsome sweet-scented subjects, second 
in popularity to nothing but the rose, objects of attention and 
admiration among all classes, but especial favorites with the florist 
and fair sex. The carnation, picotee, pink, and sweet William 
are included in it, besides a host of species which, having so far 
escaped the “ mutilating manipulations” of the florist, remain in 
their native simplicity, awaiting the time when, for want of other 
novelty on which to try his hand, the same much-abhorred indi¬ 
vidual of botanical doctors may please to attempt their improve¬ 
ment . On this head, however, I have nothing to advance on the 
present occasion, desiring rather to show how those which have 
already, and to so great an extent, enjoyed his favour, may be 
made to contribute to our pleasure at a season when “rude 
