166 AMERICAN CARNATION CULTURE. 



The rose is a perennial plant, a carnation is a biennial; and 

 the greatest cause of failure in growing the latter is in not recog- 

 nizing this fact. After a carnation has served its two seasons of 

 life it is absolutely useless and should be at once discarded. 



People who will not regard this point in the nature of the 

 carnation carry along a half alive plant only for it to end in the 

 absolute death of the plant. Then they will decry their ill-luck. 



There is no dispute as to the desire of the people for this ar- 

 tistic flower. It embraces all colors— -crimson, scarlet, pink, 

 white and yellow and their various shades. It has an exhilara- 

 ting clove fragrance, unequaled by any other flower. It has un- 

 rivalled symmetry, beauty, and is one of the most lasting flowers 

 that is grown. 



For winter bloom if plants must be kept in residences, you 

 can not expect to be as successful as if they were kept in a green- 

 house. 



The unfavorable conditions of the sitting room for carnation 

 plants are the dry atmosphere and deficient light. Persons who 

 have bay-widows may, to some extent, modify these conditions 

 and those who possess the luxury of an adjoining conservatory 

 can do so still more fully. 



Independent of house culture there are thousands of people 

 who would be satisfied with carnation growing, if they could 

 raise these "smiles of nature" from the middle of June until long 

 after the first moderate -frosts. This is as easily done as it is to 

 raise any other flower of merit. 



There are no plants of as easy culture or that yield as much 

 pleasure for the labor bestowed on them. 



There are but few persons who do not love flowers, and who 

 do not love to decorate their homes by growing them and would 

 like to grow carnations instinct with life and fragrant with the 

 spices of the south-land among them if it were possible. 



It is not only possible, but easily attainable, if a few simple 

 rules are observed. Every one attempting to grow carnations 

 must remember they are biennials, that it is their nature to live 



