258 THE FLORIST. 



had as many applications to dress flowers as he had to dress 

 wigs ; for he was a barber and friseur by trade, and could 

 both shave and lay a Carnation with the greatest nicety. 

 The novices of that day, who, being unacquainted with his 

 secret art, trusted to Dame Nature to open, expand, and 

 perfect their flowers, were no match for Nunn ; for he began 

 where she left off, and perfected what she had left imperfect. 

 His arrangement and disposition of the petals were admir- 

 able." 



The little book from which this extract is taken was pub- 

 lished some thirty years ago, and Nunn lived many years prior 

 to that; the dressing and laying-out the flowers of a Carnation, 

 therefore, must be an art of some antiquity. 



Our plate, it will be seen, represents two of Mr. May's 

 flowers, seedlings of 1848. This gentleman, as florists well 

 know, has been a most successful raiser of seedlings. The 

 saving of seed is his principal object ; shewing, with him, is a 

 secondary affair. Flora's Garland has produced a great number 

 of good Carnations ; Romeo was raised from that variety, and 

 bids fair to become as great a favourite as its parent. Some 

 of Mr. May's Picotees are of the finest quality and substance. 

 The yellows raised by him have the good quality of being 

 strong, robust growers, not weakly and yellow, as most of the 

 old kinds. He has raised some fine things this season. 



The flowers in our representation will prove a welcome 

 addition to every collection : they are beautiful varieties. 



CULTIVATION OF THE CARNATION AND PICOTEE. 



BY C. TURNER. 



The mode of cultivating these beautiful flowers has been so often 

 given to the public, that it may appear something like presumption 

 in me to offer any thing with a promise of being either new or in- 

 teresting. But, in compliance with the request of numerous private 

 growers who have witnessed our bloom during the last few seasons, 

 I purpose laying before the readers of The Florist, as concisely as I 

 can, my system of managing these deservedly favourite flowers. I 

 will not say that my plan is the best, but it shall be what it professes 

 to be, viz. a plain account of the treatment given them throughout 

 the year, commencing with the present time. 



Oct. 1 . Many will now have their plants potted and established ; 

 ours never experience that operation before the first of this month. 

 I recommend this as the best time for such work ; for when not done 

 now, there is often the additional labour of giving a trifling shift in 

 November, causing the plants to make fresh growth, and to become 



