THE CARNATION MANUAL. 21 



which have earned for their.selves the reputation of 

 being weakly growers. 



Further, the varieties selected should be of 

 " erect " habit, that is, their flower stems should be 

 strong enough to carry the blooms without droop- 

 ing their heads. This is an important requirement 

 in a border Carnation, for if nothing but the back 

 of the flower is visible, not only is there much loss 

 of effect, but to form an opinion of colour, shape, 

 and petal it becomes necessary to stoop and turn 

 up every bloom. 



Finally, they should be " free flowering," that is, 

 that they should throw up several flower stems, 

 and cover them well with buds. 



The Border. — The next point to be considered 

 is the selection and formation of the border. 



Carnations require space, light, and fresh air, 

 and should have the border practically to them- 

 selves ; they cannot thrive in the interstices of an 

 ordinary garden border, half full of herbaceous 

 plants and annuals. If, however, there is no other 

 place for them, care must be taken to secure them 

 from encroachment as the other plants begin to 

 grow, for they resent being crowded and over- 

 shadowed. 



They will certainly do far better in a border of 

 their own. Select it, if possible, facing towards the 

 south, for they cannot have too much sun. If 

 protection by shrubs can be given to the north and 



