The American Carnatici. nin 
XI—THE AMERICAN CARNATION. 
For the last 16 years or more the American 
varieties of Carnation have been finding their way 
into this country in greater or less numbers, but few 
of them in the early days of their introduction met 
with general favour. The fringed petals were a 
great bar against their acceptance by the florist, and 
those whose ideas of a Carnation of fine quality were 
built up on smooth petals without fringe or 
indenture. This was quite natural on the part of the 
florist and general public after being accustomed for 
sO many generations to the refined flowers of home 
or Continental production. 
Within the last few years several nurserymen and 
market growers have not been slow to perceive the 
handsome and decorative effect of these introduc- 
tions from the Western Hemisphere. Besides 
placing them on the market, the growers took to 
exhibiting them at flower shows in various parts of 
the country, both in the shape of plants and cut 
flowers. The size, handsome form, colour, and 
fragrance of the flowers, carried upon long and 
graceiul stems, and their tasteful arrangement in 
vases and other receptacles, have captivated the 
general public, particularly those who carry out 
floral decorations. The natural consequence is that 
they are now looked upon as indispensable for the 
production of flowers in winter. They are also 
finding their way largely into private establish- 
ments all over the country. 
History of the Race. 
The first of the race of Carnations now known. as 
the American, was introduced from France to that 
country, about 1852 by Charles Marc, a French 
florist, of Bloomingdale, New York. The origin of 
the race may be given in the words of Mr. Charles 
Willis Ward in his admirable and exhaustive book 
on the subject, “The American Carnation ”:— 
“The American Carnation, which is known as the 
perpetual flowering, or winter blooming Carnation, 
is a distinct race, and differs materially from the 
types of European origination now usually known 
