HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK. 



in maintaining the lively interest in the carnatiGn; there is always some- 

 thing to be said about a distinguished new-comer and comparisons to be 

 made with those that have preceded it; scarcely a year passes by without 

 bringing us one or more real improvements; other kinds of plants and 

 flowers, (with the possible exception of the Chrysanthemum) do not 

 appear to be so susceptible of improvement. 



Take the Rose, for instance; particularly the varieties which are forced 

 for cut flowers; we see few changes for the better. Bride and Bridesmaid 

 have remained for many years the leading Teas, and the peerless American 

 Beauty has had no rival for a quarter of a century. It is true, that quite 

 recently there have been introduced several good forcing roses. Liberty, 

 Kilarney, and last the very valuable Richmond Rose. The latter is destined 

 to be very largely grown; all honor to E. G. Hill for the Richmond. In 

 his enthusiasm for novelties, he has sometimes given us sorts which did not 

 "pan out," but his services in giving us this last new rose have atoned for 

 all his previous shortcomings. He is busy raising rose seedlings, has 

 thousands on the way, and with the experience of so many years to help 

 him, is almost certain, soon again, to give us something we will all be 

 proud of. 



But we cannot hope to get good new roses as frequently as carna- 

 tions, it is "not in the wood." Take again, another class of plants, the 

 Palms, so deservedly popular as house plants. Nothing new appears at 

 all equal to the old-time Kentias and Arecas. New palms, it is true, are 

 introduced from time to time, but none equal to those which we have had 

 so many years. 



While the constant introduction of new carnations is very interesting 

 and fascinating, it is alas, true, that where we get one real improvement, 

 there are several introduced with exaggerated praises which are practically 

 worthless. But it will be more difficult in the future to send out poor or 

 mediocre sorts; the trade is becoming more and more critical and the 

 National Carnation Society is doing all it can to prevent the introduction 

 of inferior sorts. If there be a really good sort ready for market, this very 

 critical inspection and wide publicity will only serve to advertise its 

 merits and increase its sale. 



The first valuable carnation to come under my notice was La Purite, 

 which is generally spoken of, as of a deep pink color; it was rather a 

 carmine with violet flame. The shade was very pleasing. It was imported 

 from France in 1858; in 1862, my father bought one plant which cost $2.50 

 and proved to be a good investment, as it was of easy propagation, and two 

 years later we had a good stock which was in brisk demand at $20.00 per 100. 

 I once heard the late George Wilson of Maiden, Mass., who was a very 

 successful florist, say that the best investmeent he ever made in flori- 

 culture was the purchase of fifty plants of La Purite at $5.00 per plant. 



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