FLOWERS 181 
actually ahead of, the rose. Asa plant it will stand 
all kinds of abuse, and yet, under the care which 
any amateur can give it, will produce an abundance 
of most beautiful bloom. Within a comparatively 
few years the carnation, as indeed a number of other 
flowers, has been developed to nearly twice its 
former size, and the number of beautiful shades 
obtainable has also increased many times. 
To be grown at its best the carnation should have 
a rather cool temperature and plenty of ventilation, 
and these two requirements help to place it within 
reach of the small greenhouse operator. If only 
a few plants are to be grown, they may be purchased 
from a local florist, or obtained by mail from a seed 
house. If as few as two or three dozen plants are 
to be kept —and a surprising number of blooms 
may be had from a single dozen — they may be kept 
in pots. Use five- or six-inch pots and rich earth, 
with frequent applications of liquid manure, as de- 
scribed later. If, however, part of a bench can be 
given to them, the results will be more satisfactory. 
The bench should be well drained and contain four 
or five inches of rich soil, such as already described. 
If it is too late to compose a soil of this kind, use 
any rich garden loam and well rotted manure, in 
the proportions of five or six to one. For plants 
to begin blooming in the early winter, they should 
be put in during August, but for one’s own use a 
later planting will do. For this year, if you are too 
