4 THE CARNATION MANUAL. 



'* flimsy " — broad and slightly cupped, for reflexed 

 petals rarely form a good flower. 



It would be well that the begmner should con- 

 fine his attention to one or two classes each year. 

 I am of opinion that he will then gain a more solid 

 experience and probably better results. 



So much for selection. 



Some growers insist on the necessity of covering 

 the plants with gauze, or nailing gauze or stuff of a 

 similar nature over the ventilators and window- 

 openings of the house to keep the bees out, and to 

 prevent the plants from becoming fertilised by 

 them with pollen brought from the outside. 



I can understand the grounds upon which this 

 precaution is taken, but am bound to say that the 

 success which I have been fortunate enough to 

 obtain does not lead me to attach much importance 

 to it. It may, however, be a useful precaution to 

 adopt Avhere there are other Carnations in the 

 immediate vicinity. 



A few words may here be useful to beginners 

 upon the organs of the plant used for the produc- 

 tion and fertilisation of seed. 



The pistils are in the form of two or some- 

 times three horn-shaped processes, called " styles," 

 which spring from the apex of the seed-pod — that 

 is, from the very centre of the flower — and rapidly 

 grow as the bloom expands, until, when ready for 

 impregnation, their ends will be found somewhat 



