THE AMERICAN CARNATION AS A BEDDING PLANT 169 



in America. In Summer, however, when he reads of the 

 frequent heat waves in the United States, he thanks his 

 stars that he has not to contend with this extreme of 

 chmate. 



When the right kind of plants have been employed, 

 and planted at the proper season, the American Carnation 

 has been quite satisfactory in the British Isles for Summer 

 bedding. There it is called the Perpetual Flowering Carna- 

 tion because it can be had in flower all the year round in 

 spite of dull chmate. 



The best stock to employ for bedding is that which is 

 elongating for flower about the end of April. One propa- 

 gates the plants late in May, stops them twice, the second 

 time being in September or October, and they are wintered 

 in a cold greenhouse or frame. They wmter well even in 

 unheated frames; in fact, a plant which has been as dormant 

 as possible throughout the Winter is preferred. Occasion- 

 ally the plants are killed if left out of doors in severe \\ in- 

 ters, even in the southern parts of Britain. 



The Perpetual Flowering Carnation Society some years 

 ago conducted trials with a view to discovering the best 

 type of plant to use, and other facts. It is not always 

 known to amateurs that ordinary young stock is not suit- 

 able for bedding purposes, although the comparative 

 cheapness of the plants may tempt many people to plant 

 them. Of course, early rooted plants stopped once may be 

 had in flower late in Summer, but the difference between 

 this class of stock and a bushy plant which commences to 

 flower in May or June is very marked. 



British market growers lack what American growers 

 have — the public which pays such substantial prices for 

 cut flowers; but, on the other hand, the British amateur is 

 an asset in another way — he is a keen gardener. Certainly 



