THE CARNATION MANUAL. 3 



leave tlieiii to bear as many flowers as they 

 liked. 



In the same way, did I want to raise new 

 varieties of the purple Hake, I should probably 

 select "James Douglas" to cross Avith "Florence 

 Nightingale," because, though both " purple flakes," 

 the shades are distinct. 



Or in the Picotee class I might try " Brunette " 

 (Kirtland) with "John Smith," both heavy-edged 

 reds, but of distinct tints. 



This method should be pursued all through 

 the various classes. The self colours might be 

 greatly improved by selecting some of the best 

 rose or scarlet shades, and crossing them — not rose 

 with scarlet, but rose with rose, and scarlet with 

 scarlet — bearing in mind that the seed-bearer 

 should always be a plant of vigorous habit and 

 compact growth. 



Flowers that have too many petals, and which 

 therefore burst their calyx, should never be selected 

 as parents. Have nothing to do with flowers with 

 short, stumpy calyces crowded with small petals ; by 

 mere force of expansion the calyx bursts from top 

 to bottom, and the petals fall out, forming a woeful 

 spectacle to the lover of symmetrically formed 

 flowers. 



Choose rather flowers which have a long, firm 

 calyx ; they should be of large size and good form. 

 The petals should be firm and solid in texture — not 

 B 2 



