"TREE" CARNATIONS 63 



not be allowed to flower the first year, but should be 

 repotted when rooted, into 8-inch pots, the tops nipped 

 off to make them bushy, and no flower-stems allowed to 

 rise till the autumn following.'' Such was the general 

 practice until a few years ago ; but, with the advent of the 

 freer-flowering, more robust Carnations from America, the 

 methods of cultivation have changed completely, and better 

 results are obtained from a nine- to twelve-months-old 

 plant than used to be got from those of two years' growth. 



In many gardens Perpetual- Flowering Carnations have, 

 to a large extent, supplanted the hard-wooded greenhouse 

 plants, and the houses in which these latter were cultivated 

 have been converted into Carnation houses. I would say 

 to those about to enter upon the cultivation of Carna- 

 tions for winter flowering, that the most important item 

 to bear in mind is the selecting or building of a house 

 in such a position as will ensure the greatest amount of 

 light. The structure should consist of the maximum 

 amount of glass and as little wood as is consistent with 

 the stability of the structure. I know of no plant which 

 will give the successful cultivator such a good return for 

 his time and labour, nor have I met any one who does 

 not appreciate the charm of a house of Carnations in 

 mid-winter. The flowers may be used with advantage in 

 every form of floral device, and for vase and dinner-table 

 decoration none is more appreciated. What could be 

 more lovely than a vase lightly arranged with the varieties 

 Enchantress, Beacon, or White Perfection, carrying their 

 perfectly shaped flowers on long, reed-like stems, three 

 or four buds overtopping the flowers, and a few shoots 

 interspersed and hanging over the sides ? 



Carnations always look best arranged with their own 



