THE CARNATION MANUAL. 39 



colour, and in fragrance surely we may place it 

 next. 



It is needless to go into the question of culture, 

 because that is dealt with by Mr. Herrington in 

 this book. He was with me at Gravetye when we 

 made extensive experiments with Carnations. He 

 planted the flower-garden at Shrubland Park, and 

 having gone into it with hearty interest and in- 

 telligence, knows all the conditions essential to 

 success. 



The hardiness of the flower is proved by 

 the natural habitats of the plant, which is found 

 in rocky regions in many countries of Europe, 

 and may be seen on Rochester Castle, and at 

 Chateau Gaillard, in Normandy. In my experience 

 it never sufters from cold, though alternations of 

 mild and hard weather will often aflect it on cold 

 soils, especially where early autumn planting is 

 not the rule. All Carnations planted in November, 

 say, are more likely to suffer than those planted in 

 September. 



Rabbits and Hares are, perhaps, the most 

 to be feared of the enemies of the Carnation 

 in country places. It is absolutely necessary to 

 wire out all rabbits and hares where Carnations 

 are grown to a large extent in the open air. 



The first year we lost every one of several 

 thousand plants, all of which disappeared during the 

 hard frost, when food was scarce ! Afterwards, by 



