22 AMERICAN CARNATION CULTURE. 



them. They were the best productions of Alegatiere's cross-fer- 

 tilizing skill. 



During this long time there was a dearth of new kinds of car- 

 nations continuing until 1875, when Charles Starr cross-ferti- 

 lized and obtained Lady Emma. In 1877 he obtained Chester 

 Pride; and in 1878, Buttercup. Then rapidly followed until his 

 death (Dec. 24, 1891 ) a series of over 50 marvelous enrich- 

 ments to the floral wealth of carnations. 



Charles Starr in 1873, caused to be made the first engraving 

 of carnation flowers in America, and possibly in the world- 

 which was sent to the writer to illustrate the first edition of 

 American Carnation Culture, in 1885. (See engraving) 

 He also wrote for the same work, the only scientific and practical 

 treatise on the classification, propagation and culture of hardy 

 pinks ever published in America. He was a devoted admirer of 

 the Dianthus family of plants. His life was an epoch in their his- 

 tory. Zeiler, Gard and Dailledouze, of Flatbush, N. Y., first 

 imported carnations to America. Charles Starr, of Avondale, in- 

 troduced and made them famous to the lovers of the beautiful. 



