12 CARNATIONS AND PINKS 



of border Carnations, fine in every way save its lack 

 of scent. Of pure scarlets there is a greater choice ; 

 indeed this colour is always of hardier growth than 

 any other that I know, and it is a matter of opinion 

 whether the very smoothed edged varieties are as 

 effective as the rougher edged sorts. Of deep crim- 

 sons I have found Mephisto the most enduring and 

 hardy, and of pure yellows there is nothing to touch 

 Miss Audrey Campbell as far as I know ; and of rose 

 reds, no variety is more enduring and handsomer 

 than Belladonna. Of orange shades Midas is still 

 the finest ; and of lighter buffs, Mrs. Reynolds Hole 

 is yet worth a place, though not good on strong 

 soils. 



The Picotees, especially the modern ones raised by 

 Mr. Martin Smith, are very vigorous and hardy, but 

 after a few years they are apt to lose vigour when 

 grown in the open border, while those grown in 

 pots retain their health to a far greater degree, which 

 proves that much water in winter is death, more or 

 less lingering, to the Carnation. 



The Tree or Perpetual Carnation is not enough 

 planted for summer use in my judgment. It is far 

 more amenable for bedding purposes, and can equally 

 be propagated for summer and autumn flowering as 

 for winter culture under glass. With an edging of 

 Phlox Drummondi pegged down outside the Carna- 

 tions an uncommonly bright display can be achieved, 

 and the long sprays of bloom are lasting for cut- 

 ilower purposes. Perhaps some one has already tried 

 some of the strong-growing American varieties in 



