CONTENTS. 



PROLOGUE, - 9 



I Origin of the term Dianthus. Name of a genus qf plants 

 History from Theophrastus to Alegatiere. Arrest of botan- 

 ical knowlege for centuries. 13 



II. History of Carnations from Alegatiere, 1844, to Charles Starr, 

 1893. Peculiarities of the new species. First importations. 

 First cross fertilization in America. - 18 



III. Carnations from Charles Starr to the 2nd year of the 2oth centurv. 

 Importations into the Carnation zone. Number originated 

 and introduced. Analysis of the list. - 23 



IV. New Carnations. Hybridizing and crossing. How to fertilize. 

 Chances for success. Opinions of experts. Restraining and 

 progressive forces. - 29 



V. Life lives in cells. Continuing life by cuttings. The conditions 

 required. Difference between a cutting and a seedling. 

 Kind of cuttings. The time to strike them. - 39 



VI. Carnations in the field. Precautions against failure. Prepara- 

 tions for their field life. The sanitarium for Carnations. 

 Number of plants to an acre. - 45 



VII. Carnations from the field to greenhouse beds or benches. Early 

 and late lifting. In wet and dry weather. Bench planting. 

 Distance apart. Watering and shading. - 48 



VIII. Solid beds. Raised benches with wooden, slate, and tile bot- 

 toms. Testimony of Carnation growers as to their prefer- 

 ences. Proper soil for beds and benches. 52 



IX. Tying up, or supporting Carnation flowering stems. The better 

 plan. Disbudding Carnations. A matter of market. A 

 conservation of vital energy. - 56 



