132 AMERICAN CARNATION CULTURE. 



culture. There were no trade journals, no concert or organization 

 among the hundred and fifty primitive floral establishments of that 

 period. Carnations were grown from self-fertilized seed obtained 

 from the pods of the progeny of La Puritie, Astora, Miss Joliff 

 and their nameless compeers, and named as fancy suggested. Not 

 more than a dozen florists in the country during this interregnum, 

 meddled with or cared for the new born species of the Dianthus 

 genus of plants, and not a new carnation was originated during 

 these eleven years whose name passes on the records possessing 

 merit. Miss Joliff originated at the same time and from the same 

 source as Astoria. Both originated from Alegatiere's seed, though 

 years before La Puritie and Edwardsii were imported. It is singu- 

 lar how regularly the royal line of new and great carnations have 

 kept step with recurring years. There are but few carnations un- 

 named and outside of the following chronological list that have 

 reached general acceptance. 



But the humblest carnation that ever bloomed has been an 

 evangel of the gospel of beauty, and with voiceless colors has 

 brightened twilight gloom in some human heart. 



I have incorporated into the select list a number of new car- 

 nations of 1901-2, not because their fate is flxed. Their destiny is 

 hurrying forward to the crucial crisis of the people's verdict: their 

 frowns are exile and their smiles are fame. A singular fatalitj^ 

 often waits on new carnations that are filled with splendid 

 promises. They become enfeebled by some mysterious marasmus 

 that leaves them an easy prey to bacteriosis or other diseases and 

 they quickly drop out of cultivation. This was the case with 

 Uncle John, The Stuart, Edna Craig, Empress, Sea Gull, Mammoth 

 Pearl, Kerskin and others. Like the Ephemera, they lived for but 

 a day, singing a ditt}' at dawn and a dirge at dusk. Then again 

 some carnation seedlings are unpromising at birth, but born with 

 an inspiring genus that points them steadily to the throne of Flora^ 

 as were Wm. Scott, Mrs. Bradt, Daybreak and Buttercup. 



In 1896 there were 1000 circulars sent to carnation growers 

 asking them to return votes for and against all the carnations 



