4 o PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



exceed an average height of 18 inches ; many of them are 

 not more than a foot high. If well cultivated, they produce 

 a profusion of beautiful flowers. The best seed ought to 

 be obtained, and in that case the larger proportion of the 

 plants will produce double flowers. There will always be 

 a few single flowers, but even these are pretty, and they 

 afford variety. The plants require a temperature of 55 

 for the flowers to develop to their best. Some amateurs 

 suppose that Carnations will produce flowers in winter in 

 an ordinary greenhouse from which frost is just excluded ; 

 but they will not do so satisfactorily. They may develop 

 a few specimens, but they are of poor quality, and not to 

 be compared with flowers produced in a heated house. 



Mr. Denary has written me respecting a variety which 

 he describes as much superior to the Marguerite. It is 

 termed the Chaband. I have not seen it, but it is said 

 to flower a month later ; it is a better perpetual flowerer ; 

 the flowers are said to be finer and capable of keeping in 

 good condition longer, than the Marguerite Carnations. 



