256 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



lasting qualities, has placed it near the front in public favor. The 

 original clove-scented dionthus had but five petals, with a diameter 

 of the expanded flower of about an inch. They have been bred up from 

 this original state to from twenty-five to fifty petals, and a diameter of 

 flower of two to three inches. Only twenty years ago the camelia was at 

 the front for commercial purposes. At that recent date the rose had 

 not been recognized. Today, the rose is queen and the camelia is almost 

 forgotten. 



Probably, there is at present as great a number of carnations grown for 

 florists' use as there is of roses. Their popularity is yearly increasing, but 

 never so fast as at the present time. We are hardly prepared to believe 

 that they will supplant the rose, in the immediate future, but when so 

 much effort is being expended on anything capable of improvement as 

 there now is among growers of carnations all over the country, we may 

 hold ourselves in readiness for any surprise in this direction. 



The carnation is of comparatively easy culture; a perennial, requiring 

 two seasons to complete its ordinary but full measure of develop^ment. 

 The nature or economy of the plant requires a season of rest in prepar- 

 ation for that final effort to reproduce its kind. The florist, to accom- 

 modate the requirements of his business, has substituted for this natural 

 habit of the plant the custom of winter forcing for the production of 

 flowers. The customary method for the production of plants is by cuttings 

 or side shoots from the main stocks, though it is held by some (an d I am 

 convinced there is substantial reason for the belief) that, in order to keep 

 up the original standard vigor of the plant, new seedlings will be 

 required. 



Carnations require to be planted out in the open ground, in a situation 

 which is well drained. They will not thrive with too much moisture 

 about their roots, either in the open ground or greenhouse. It is 

 surprising to note the small amount of root moisture required for their 

 fullest vigor and healthfulness. The foliage will be benefited by 

 frequent spraying and the plant will be generally benefited thereby. 



The carnation is a cold blooded plant and should be treated accordingly. 

 I believe that over-forced carnations have their vital forces so impaired 

 that they will never after be capable of producing first class flowers. 



VARIETIES PROFITABLE TO CULTIVATE. 



A carnation, to be worthy, should possess one at least of the following 

 points of excellence: 



Flowers on long stems. 



Healthy habits and vigorous constitutions; not difficult to grow from 

 cuttings. 



Good sized, well formed flower, never bursting its calix, which gives a 

 ragged, bedraggled appearance. 



Attractive color, and a good keeper as well; and last, but not least, a 

 floriferous habit. 



Among the tested varieties in cultivation possessing these qualities to 

 a marked degree, I will name the following as the most conspicuous, and 

 therefore the most useful sorts: Tidal Wave, Portia, Garfleld and Hinzie's 

 White,— all very floriferous, easily propagated, vigorous, healthy habit, 

 well formed flower. A person who would fail to grow these successfully 

 had better go out of the business. Anne Webb and Pride of Kennet, 

 pretty crimsons, both fragrant and fairly prolific, and of healthy habit. 



