The Carnation in Town. A 
induced habit requires artificial treatment for the 
preservation of the selected types. 
Situation and Aspect. 
Sunshine and air are primary requisites in the 
successful cultivation of Carnations, and these may 
be secured by the careful selection of site or 
position, even in the smallest gardens, unless too 
closely shut in by houses or overshadowed by tall 
trees. Whether grown in beds or borders, the 
plants should have an open exposure to the south 
or some point between south east and south west, 
evem if jonly for\half ofthe day.--The . close 
proximity of trees or hedges is undesirable, both on 
account of the shade and the dry and impoverished 
condition of the soil permeated by the roots. 
These are conditions which the careful cultivator 
and observer will soon learn to avoid. Light and 
air are necessary to harden the foliage, strengthen 
the stems, fortify the constitution, and enable the 
layers to develop a full and vigorous root system. 
Nor must the plants be weakened in winter by too 
long continued and unnecessary coverings under 
the mistaken idea of affording protection. 
Cultivation. 
Any good garden soil will serve to grow Carna- 
tions in town gardens, and the same method of deal- 
ing with it for border Carnations will also serve in 
this case. In lke manner, if the soil is hight they 
may be planted in September or early in October ; 
and if heavy, the plants may be wintered in small 
pots in cold frames. The last named method will 
be found the most practicable in densely populated 
and low lying districts, where fog and smoke hang 
long and heavily over the neighbourhood. 
Those who intend to grow for exhibition will 
find it the most convenient and best method to grow 
the requisite number of plants in pots, and to treat 
them precisely as described under “Show Carna- 
tions and Picotees.’ 
A few cultivators advocate the plan of mulching 
the ground with stable or cow manure, but the plan 
is scarcely to be recommended, as it keeps the 
ground cold, prevents its aeration, and encourages 
fungoid enemies, insect pests, and_ ell-worms 
around the neck of the plant and the lower leaves. 
Overfed soil, especially heavy ones and those which 
contain much decaying vegetable matter or humus, 
