42 THE FLORIST. 



CULTURE OF PERPETUAL CARNATIONS. 



These hif^hly fragrant plants were introduced from the Continent a 

 few years ago by Messrs. Knight and Perry ; and although they 

 have been greatly admired by those who have cultivated them, they 

 are not nearly so generally known as they deserve to be. They con- 

 sist of various self colours, and are therefore destitute of the splendid 

 markin"-s of the summer-flowering kinds ; but if inferior in point of 

 variety of colour, they are equal with them in respect to fragrance. 

 Very little artificial treatment is required to have this class of Car- 

 nations in flower at any season ; so that, aided by a moderate num- 

 ber of plants, we may enjoy the fragrance of the Carnation the whole 

 year round, and mingle it as plentifully in the bouquet of December 

 as in that of July. 



The plants possess a somewhat sub-shrubby habit, and have a 

 tendency to produce flowers upon the ripened young wood irrespec- 

 tive of the season of the year when the growth may be perfected ; 

 and they submit to stopping as frequently as may be necessary in 

 order to retard their blooming, and this without any injury to their 

 ultimate flowering. A little practical experience may, however, be 

 necessary to enable the cultivator to judge as to the proper time at 

 which plants intended to supply blossom at a certain period should 

 receive their final stopping ; and as this depends very much upon 

 circumstances, such as temperature, the general health and vigour 

 of the plants, &c., it is difficult to obtain the desired knowledge other- 

 wise than practically, and a season's experience and careful observa- 

 tion will prove the best means of surmounting this difficulty. Such 

 being the case, I will merely give an outline of the general culture 

 proper for these plants. 



I will suppose that a few plants of various colours have been 

 purchased, and that these are ready to furnish cuttings of moderately 

 firm pieces at this time. The cuttings may be prepared in the usual 

 way, removing them at a joint where the wood is firm, but not hard ; 

 after trimming, plant in light sandy soil, in thoroughly drained pots, 

 cover with a bell-glass, and plunge the pots in a mild bottom-heat, 

 say 65°. If attended to with water, and guarded from damp by fre- 

 quently wiping the glasses, they will soon root, and may then be 

 potted singly into 4 or 5-inch pots. It will be necessary to keep 

 the plants in a somewhat close moist atmosphere until fully esta- 

 bhshed, after potting. As soon as they have become rooted and 

 made some growth, pinch out their tops, in order to induce them to 

 throw out shoots. It will be advisable to keep the plants in a tem- 

 perature averaging from 50° to 60°, till the season when this will be 

 supplied by a cold frame. When the plants have filled their pots 

 with roots, they may be shifted into their flowering-pots, the size of 

 which should be regulated by the time when it may be desirable to 

 have them in bloom. For such as may be intended for flowering 

 during autumn, 7-inch pots will be sufi&ciently large ; some for win- 

 ter use may receive 9 -inch pots ; and a portion for spring flowering, 



