CHAPTER XXIX. 



POPULAR CULTIVATION OF CARNATION— CARNATIONS GROWN 

 AT HOME FOR BOUTONNIERES, LAWN ADORN- 

 MENTS AND TABLE DECORATIONS. 



THERE are many who find recreation and delight in grow- 

 ing their own flowers, who possess ample means to pur- 

 chase them. There is something strangely fascinating in 

 a dormant seed bursting into green life under the skill of our own 

 fingers and in continuing that life through the marvelous media 

 of cuttings manipulated by our own judgment. It is a seance 

 with the occult in nature and a manifestations of her mysterious 

 laws governing life. 



It is for those who love and practice floriculture for its in- 

 herent witchery and their own amusement that I write this chap- 

 ter. 



The carnation pink is the most popular flower now grown, 

 not excepting the rose. 



It is quite a mistake to think that carnations can only be 

 successfully grown in greenhouses. In fact, they are not, strict- 

 ly a greenhouse plant. The species is a native of cold climates, 

 and its best health is maintained in a low temperature. It is a 

 biennial and when lifted on greenhouse benches responds readily 

 to heat and serves out its second year's existence in winter 

 blooming. 



This is the reason it is so popular with florists. Hundreds of 

 acres of glass are now devoted to its cultivation in America. 



The carnation is hardy at any temperature above zero. It 

 flourishes in a wide range of temperature, but draws the line of 

 growth at eighty degrees as quickly as it d. )es at forty degrees of 

 heat. The carnation plant is far healthier than the rose and is 

 not nearly as capricious in its habits. 



