74 CARNATIONS AND PINKS 



succeed in keeping the same plants over from year 

 to year. Seeds are produced freely, and by selecting 

 a few of the very best to save the seed from, the 

 strain may be much improved ; but to keep them 

 true to colour, the different colours should be 

 isolated, and each fertilised with their own pollen, 

 or with that taken from another of the same shade. 

 Even then there may be considerable variation in 

 the colour of the seedlings ; though by persistently 

 fertilising with pollen from the same colour there 

 will be less chance of much variation, and in time 

 the colours may become fixed." 



Marguerite Carnations will flower for cutting if the 

 plants are not neglected. Guano or Clay's Manure 

 occasionally sprinkled on the soil is a great help, 

 especially if the ground is poor. It is necessary 

 also to thin out the buds to allow the remaining 

 ones an opportunity of free development. 



