246 A BOOK ABOUT THE GARDEN. 



need that eider-down quilt on your bed, but it is an 

 agreeable adjunct when the frozen earth outside 

 puts on its counterpane of snow. Moreover, it 

 pleases rne to fancy, and the delusion does no harm, 

 that when I go about my garden, in the winter's cold, 

 my beloved plants look at me from their " top- 

 dressings " with a smile of grateful joy. 



In his day, Charles Turner, of Slough, the acknow- 

 ledged " King of the Florists," was the most success- 

 ful grower of the carnation, and it was a delectable 

 privilege to go with his Majesty, and his Prime 

 Minister, the Eight Honourable John Ball, among his 

 special favourites. Other men of renown have since 

 then achieved greatness notably, Mr. Dodwell and 

 Mr. Douglas, but Prince Hany, the king's son, still 

 maintains the Eoyal Supremacy at Slough, and to 

 him I am indebted, as his father's friend, for the 

 following selection of carnations and picotees, as 

 being the best of their kind. 



CARNATIONS FOR EXHIBITION. 



Scarlet Bizarres. Pinli and Purple Bizarres. 



Admiral Curzon. James Taylor. 



Robert Houlgrave. Sarah Payne. 



Eobert Lord. William Skieving. 



Crimson Bizarres. Purple Flakes. 



Harrison Weir. Charles Henwood. 



Master Fred. Gordon Lewis. 



Rifleman. James Douglas. 



