148 CommerciaJ Gardening 



be found to prevent most of the troubles when the plants are outside; and 

 a slight weekly nicotine fumigation will serve the same purpose inside. If 

 the insects have got a firm hold a stronger dose at frequent intervals will 

 be found necessary, or even an occasional dip of the whole top of the plant 

 in a strong solution may have to be resorted to as a last resource. If even 

 this is of no avail it will be found more profitable to burn the plant than 

 to keep on doctoring it. Of fungoid diseases " rust " is probably the most 

 common but not by any means the most to be feared. If the rust puts in 

 an appearance before the plants are in bloom these should be frequently 

 dusted over with a mixture of half each of sulphur and air-slaked lime, 

 and all diseased leaves should as far as possible be removed and burnt. 

 When the plants are in bloom it is not advisable to dust them over, as the 

 lime and sulphur mixture may burn the flowers. It is then better to spray 

 the plants with Bordeaux mixture or a solution of 1 oz. of liver of sulphur 

 in 1 gal. of water. Care should be taken not to touch blooms and buds 

 that show colour with these mixtures. The chief point, however, when 

 rust appears, is to keep the atmosphere of the house dry by keeping the 

 pipes warm, especially at night, for the spores of the rust can only germinate 

 in drops of moisture. The " spot " is another rather common and trouble- 

 some fungoid disease. It requires practically the same treatment as the 

 rust. Another trouble is the so-called stem rot. This is a fatal disease, 

 attacking the base of the plants, and killing them. Some of the older 

 varieties are principally affected by it, and as it is really a constitutional 

 complaint, that appears in the old age of a variety, it does not seem advis- 

 able to attempt many cures, especially as none has much effect on the 

 malady. It is best to discard and burn those varieties that suffer most, 

 and grow others in their places that have a healthy constitution. 



The growing of the Perpetual Flowering Carnation is one of the many 

 things that cannot entirely be learned from books, but the lover of this 

 beautiful flower who keeps an ever- watchful eye over his plants will not 

 be long without success. 



As regards varieties, it is difficult to name the best, there are now so 

 many really good ones. Some of these give almost universal satisfaction ; 

 others appear to flourish in one district while they fail entirely in another. 

 It is in all cases best for the grower of the Perpetual Flowering Carnation 

 to select a collection of his favourite colours and grow them as best he can. 

 Some, no doubt, will bring good results, and should be kept; those that fail 

 entirely should be discarded, and some of the novelties be acquired to re- 

 place them. In this way everyone will in a few seasons get a collection 

 most suited to the local conditions. The following will be found a good 

 selection for growing on a large scale: 



White. White Perfection, White Enchantress, White Wonder. 



Light Pink. Enchantress, Pink Delight, May Day. 



Rose Pink. Winsor, Gloriosa, R. F. Felton, Dorothy Gordon, Mrs. 

 C. W. W. Ward. 



Deep Pink. Edith Waters, Washington. 



