BORDER CARNATIONS 15 



grouped. It should be understood that the points of excel- 

 lence in the plant and flower are the same in all sections. 

 In a bed of seedlings, no two plants are alike : some have 

 narrow, wiry leaves ; others are broad and flabby, with 

 numbers of different forms amongst them. The broad, 

 succulent-leaved varieties are most liable to the attacks of 

 disease, and those with wiry, small leaves seldom produce 

 flowers of the highest quality. 



The medium-leaved varieties are to be chosen in pre- 

 ference to the others, but these may only be selected from 

 those which produce flowers that possess the qualities of 

 good form, attractive colouring, and agreeable perfume. 

 Having obtained a handsome plant of vigorous habit, it 

 is desirable that it should possess a stout flower-stem 

 that will bear the flowers in an erect position without 

 the aid of wires, even when cut for decorative purposes. 

 The flowers should be of handsome form, and the petals 

 supported by a stout calyx which does not burst. The 

 outer petals should be broad and well formed, what the 

 fanciers term rose-leaved or cup-edged ; the centre petals 

 ought also to be well formed, not wrinkled or of small 

 size. The fanciers of the last century considered that 

 every good flower should possess twenty-six petals ; but 

 nowadays a good double Carnation ought to possess 

 twice that number of petals before it satisfies the criticism 

 of competent judges. 



Next as to colour, the original flowers exhibited one 

 colour only, being shades of pink ; and self colours are 

 perhaps most esteemed, being most useful for decorative 

 purposes. The colours are now numerous, and they have 

 been greatly increased during recent years. White flowers 



