PINKS. 
211 
tions, under fimilar circumftances. Such 
forts of Pinks as are mod inclined to 
burft their pods, oftentimes produce 
larger and finer flowers than others 
which have fmaller pods, becaufe the 
latter generally confift of too few petals : 
it is, however, more defirable to have 
their pods large and long, than too fhort 
and round, as it is hardly poflible to 
preferve the latter from burfting, whereby 
the beautiful circular form which the 
flower ought to poflefs is loft. When 
the calyx is fo extremely Ihort that it 
muft inevitably burft, it is better to aflift 
nature by what is called letting down the 
pod, that is, with a pen-knife to nick it 
down at the bottom of each of its inden¬ 
tures, as low as may be deemed neceflary, 
in order to let out the petals regularly 
on every fide, and preferve the circular 
form of the bloffom : for if it is left to 
nature* 
