THE FLORIST. 
149 
PINKS. 
Pinks, in sandy soils, are very forward; unless the wind goes round 
to the east, there will be an early bloom. These plants delight in 
abundance of moisture at this time ; the little rain fallen since the 
very dry weather set in has not been sufficient to reach the roots. We 
have noticed in wet seasons the blooms to be much larger and finer 
in colour than in dry ones. Watering the footways round the beds 
once or twice in the middle of the day, on the side the wind is blow¬ 
ing from, considerably assists to enlarge the blossoms, more par¬ 
ticularly when hot sun and drying winds prevail. As the water 
evaporates, it is driven through the bed, and the plants absorb a con¬ 
siderable portion as it passes. J. T. Neville. 
PROPAGATION OF PINKS. 
Piping, or increasing Pinks from cuttings, is a very simple process; 
it requires little practice to become an adept in it. Many ladies have 
we witnessed acquire the art to perfection in one lesson ; and, as 
Pinks are quite the pets of the ladies, we will endeavour to give our in¬ 
structions as plainly as possible, for the information of the uninitiated. 
Take cuttings from the old plants (the young shoots of this year’s 
growth), commence by stripping off the lower foliage to within two 
or three joints of the top of the cutting, then, with a keen-edged 
knife, cut off the lower part close under the knot or joint you have 
selected; when the pipings are all prepared, throw them into water 
for five or seven minutes to stiffen. The piping-bed being ready, 
press them into the soil about three quarters of an inch, and the same 
distance apart; give a good sprinkling of water; and as soon as the 
foliage is dry, put the glass over them. In about three weeks they 
will have rooted; at this period the glasses may be removed by de¬ 
grees, first lifting them half an inch on one side for a day or two, 
and then all around: about the fourth day they may be taken off. 
Piping-bed, — Pinks will root as freely under a north wall as 
any where, and require less attention in shading when in such a 
situation. Prepare a layer of spit dung (horse manure that is nearly 
exhausted of its heat), let it be put together thoroughly wet, and 
beat down with the spade to a level surface; if eight inches in depth, 
it will be quite sufficient to keep the worms from disturbing the 
young plants. On this must be placed the compost for the plants 
to root in, three inches deep. This should also be in a moist state, 
but not wet, and be moderately pressed to a smooth surface. The 
compost for the purpose must be of a sandy quality. Leaf-mould, 
or decayed vegetable-mould, and silver sand sifted fine, equal parts 
of each. In the absence of the above, any sweet and sandy soil, 
proportioned as above, will answer; but we give the preference to 
leaf-mould, from its cool and retentive nature. 
J. T. Neville. 
