conte:nts. 



Proi,ogue, 



I — Origin of the term Dianthiis. Name^ of a genus of plants 

 History from Theophrastus to Alegatiere. Arrest of botan- 

 ical knowlege for centuries. - - - - 13 



II. — History of Carnations from Alegatiere, 1844, to Charles Starr, 

 1890. Peculiarities of the new species. First importations. 

 First cross fertilization in America. - - - 18 



III. — Carnations from Charles Starr to the 2nd year of the 20th century. 

 Importations into the Carnation zone. Number originated 

 and introduced. Analysis of the list. - - - 23 



IV. — New Carnations. Hybridizing and crossing. How to fertilize. 

 Chances for success. Opinions of experts. Restraining and 

 progressive forces. --.._. 29 



v.— Life lives in cells. Continuing life by cuttings. The conditions 

 required. Difference between a cutting and a seedling. 

 Kind of cuttings. The time to strike them, - - 39 



VI,— Carnations in the field. Precautions against failure. Prepara- 

 tions for their field life. The sanitarium for Carnations. 

 Number of plants to an acre. - - - - 45 



VII.— Carnations from the field to greenhouse beds or benches. Karly 

 and late lifting. In wet and dry weather. Bench planting. 

 Distance apart. Watering and shading. - - - 48 



VIII.— Solid beds. Raised benches with wooden, slate, and tile bot- 

 toms. Testimony of Carnation growers as to their prefer- 

 ences. Proper soil for beds and benches. - - 52 



IX,— Tying up, or supporting Carnation flowering stems. The better 

 plan. Disbudding Carnations. A matter of market. A 

 conservation of vital energy. - - - - 56 



