CHAPTER XXIII 



The Future of the Carnation— Who Shall Grow 



Carnations — Profits of Carnation Growing — 



Does It Pay to Do Things Well? 



THE rapid development in the production of carnations, which has oc- 

 curred during the past ten years, has frequently caused those engaged 

 in the business to question the probable future of the Divine Flower, 

 and to consider whether its popularity is a passing fad, or is founded upon 

 such intrinsic merit as will insure the flower's permanent continuance in popu- 

 lar favor. Judging from past history, and, again, from present indications, the 

 latter proposition would seem to be tenable. The carnation has become one 

 of the most important of staple florists' flowers, and is now so generally used 

 as to be regarded as a floral necessity. Among all flowers there is none that 

 may be considered more useful than the carnation ; in fact, it is the only rival 

 the rose has thus far met, for even at the present time its popularity is 

 not second to that of Flora's Queen. Its consumption fully equals in num- 

 bers that of roses, and, probably, may exceed it within a few years. This 

 increasing popularity may be readily accounted for. While the common vari- 

 eties can be sold with profit at modest prices, the bountiful response of the 

 carnation to superior cultural methods is productive of blooms of such excel- 

 lence as to satisfy the most fastidious tastes, or the extravagant desires of 

 the very rich. 



While competition among growers will tend to decrease the price of the 

 ordinary grades of carnations, this diminution will be amply counterbalanced 

 by an attendant increase in consumption, as values are brought within the 

 reach of people with limited means ; while the better classes of blooms, 

 especially those which may be considered the finest, or fancies, will always 

 command prices commensurate with their quality and cost of production. 



The continuing improvement in the carnation, and the introduction of 

 new and interesting varieties, must always exercise an influence that will 

 attract the attention of the flower buyer; and if the producers of the Divine 

 Flower will carefully preserve that sweetest of its attributes — the rich, clove 



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