56 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



in the houses or frames is that out-of-doors the foliage 

 is apt to get soft, owing to wet or damp weather, and it 

 then falls an easy prey to a fungus disease. Therefore I 

 repeat that a glass covering of some form is necessary for 

 the plants at every season of the year. At the same time, 

 the plants require to be fully exposed to the direct rays 

 of the sun during the greater portion of the year, as these 

 conditions are necessary for the foliage to develop that 

 vigorous and leathery appearance which is appreciated by 

 all Carnation lovers. In very bright weather, when the 

 plants are in flower, it is advisable to protect the latter 

 by shading. If the deep pink colour is to be maintained, 

 a moderately light shading fixed on to a roller, which can 

 be easily manipulated, should be adopted, as this is the 

 best form of shading. 



Moisture. I am tempted to allude again to this matter, 

 being convinced that moisture is applied often to the detri- 

 ment of the plants, not alone in root-waterings, but also 

 when used in the structure to mitigate the ill effects of 

 excessive fire or sun heat. It is only during March, April, 

 and May, when growth is rapid and the weather conditions 

 favourable, that frequent dampings of the paths and other 

 surfaces are necessary. 



SELECTION OF VARIETIES 



The old blush form of Souvenir de la Malmaison was 

 first flowered in this country at about the middle of the last 

 century, and for many years it remained the only variety. A 

 variety known as Lady Middleton followed, and this had a 

 deep blush-coloured flower, striped with rosy pink, and it 

 in turn was followed by the rich pink form known as the 



