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BORDER CARNATIONS. 

 By Martin R. Smith. 



Selection of Varieties. — This is the first matter 

 which must engage the amateur's attention, for he 

 will meet with much disappointment if he endea- 

 vours to grow all varieties indiscriminately in the 

 open border. It is often asserted that " all Carna- 

 tions are hardy," and if by this is meant that they 

 will all stand a certain amount of frost, snow, and 

 cutting wind, no doubt the assertion is true ; but 

 it is also a fact that, although almost all varieties 

 will struggle through great vicissitudes of weather, 

 there are only a certain number that will really 

 thrive and flower freely in spite of such untoward 

 conditions. Many of the yellow ground varieties, 

 for instance, do not show to advantage in the open 

 border. At least, such is my experience at Hayes, 

 in Kent. 



Perhaps " selfs," i.e., Carnations of one colour, 

 may, as a class, be considered the fittest occupants 

 of the border. As a rule they are very hardy and 

 free, and the mass of colour they present when in 

 full flower is most effective. 



No lover of Carnations, however, Avill be satisfied 

 to grow one class alone of these lovely flowers, and. 



