THE PIvANT WORI.D 23 



The Home Garden and Greenhouse. 



Conducted by F. H. Knowi^ton. 



[The editor of this department will be glad to answer questions of a rele- 

 vant nature, and also to receive short articles on any phase of this subject] 



The Chinese Flowering Apple.— This tree iPyriis spectabilis) is very 

 highly recommended by Mr. J. W. Manning as a lawn tree or for lawn 

 growing planting in masses. It is a perfectly hardy tree of upright habit 

 and quick growth and bears a rich, glossy green foliage. ' ' Early in June 

 is the flowering period, at which time the branches are literally hidden 

 by the profusion of flowers ? " It occurs in several double or semi-double 

 flowering forms as well as in the single form, the color being white, 

 tinged, and streaked with red and pink. Best of all it is an annual 

 bloomer. 



Propagation of Carnations. — The carnation has become such a popular 

 flower of late years that the methods of propagation and culture have of 

 necessity changed to keep pace with the intensive culture. The method 

 of making and rooting cuttings of these newer and "higher strung" 

 varieties is well set forth in the following article, by Mr. James T. Scott, 

 the hill grower. It appeared in American Gardening for January 2, 1904. 



The cultivation of the Carnation, like everything else, has of late 

 years changed considerably. There can not be said to be any fixed law 

 here. Our modus operandi must ever change as requirements demand. A 

 few years ago, when the smaller-flowering varieties were all we knew, the 

 cuttings were usually propagated about the middle or end of March. 

 These varieties all threw lots of superfluous "grass," and, not having 

 then to stand the strain of such intense cultivation, their growth was 

 much freer and constitution hardier than in their present-day offspring. 



The Carnations of to-day, with their larger flowers and longer stems, 

 and their tendency to produce less superfluous growth, demand a much 

 longer period to mature. The fact that we have to house earlier for 

 present-day results compels us to make an earlier start. 



In gardening practice we used to propagate all our other stock, such 

 as Roses, Chrysanthemums, and bedding plants, first ; and, having the 

 cutting bench clear of all these, we propagated the Carnations last. If 

 we had our cuttings then well rooted, it was hardly thought necessary to 

 pot or box them up before transferring them to their outdoor summer 

 quarters, and they were often planted outside right out of the cutting bed. 



The modern Carnation has changed all this, and our mode of proced- 

 ure has had to change accordingly. We are not raising a race of Carna- 

 tions to-day to fit the old-time requirements, but the new Carnation is 

 demanding new requirements, and we must change our policy to suit. It 

 is conceded now by all the up-to-date growers that instead of being the 

 last to occupy the cutting bed, the Carnation must be the first ; and after 

 that it must be carefully attended to and considerable growth made before 



