THE PICOTEE AND CARNATION. 51 



THE PICOTEE AND CARNATION. 



BT B. K. BLISS. 



Springfeld, Now 24, 1859. 

 E. S Rand, Jr., Es<i. 



Dear Sir: — I am in receipt of yours of a recent date asking for an article on the 

 cullivation of the Carnation and Picotee Pink, In giving ihis, I lay no claim to origi- 

 nality — being indebteil principally to various English writers for whatever information 

 I may possess on the subject. Having folJowed their directions for several years, with 

 ihe best success, I CEunuot do belter than to draw largely from the sam« sources ; making 

 such alterations as my own experirnce, and the difierence in the climate, would seem to 

 require. 



I remain, very truly yours, B. K. Bliss, 



" Of all the flowers that adorn the garden,'' observes Mr. Hogg in his 

 treatise, " whether they, charm the eye by their beauty, or regale the sense 

 by their fragrance, the Carnation and Picotee may justly be said to hold the 

 first rank. The statelintes of their growth, the brilliancy and diversity of 

 their colors, and the sweetness of their perfume, never fail to attract our 

 regard and admiration. To the ardent and devoted florist the splendor of 

 a first-rate bloom of either is scaiK^ely to be surpassed. A perfect flower, 

 or what would be called such at the English and Scotch exhibitions, is 

 seldom seen in this country, our hot sun and dry atmosphere being unfa- 

 vorable for their full development. With careful shading, however, from 

 the midday sun, and a judicious application of water and liquid manure, the 

 amateur florist will be fully repaid by the production of blooms equal in 

 brilliancy and variety of coloring, if not in size, to those of our transatlantic 

 friends. 



On taking a retrospective glance at the origin and history of the Carna- 

 tion, we have it on record that its first introduction was from Italy or 

 Germany. Didymus Mountain, in the "Gardener's Labyrinth," 1571, 

 enumerates Carnations among the flowers grown for " adorning of gardens," 

 and speaks of them as well known to every one. Barnaby Googe, in his 

 translation of Heresback's work, entitled "Foure Bookes of Husbandrie," 

 London, 1578, mentions only three sorts of Carnations as then grown ; a 

 few years later, Gerarde tells us that in his time, 1597, " there are at this 

 day, under the name of Caryophylliis, comprehended divers and sundrie sorts 

 of plants, of such variable colors, and also several shapes, that a great and 

 large volume would not suffice to write of every one at large, in particular, 

 considering how infinite they are; how every year, every climate and 

 country bringeth forth new sorts, such as have not been heretofore written 

 of; some whereof are called Carnations." Ho adds, also, "the great Car- 

 nation Gilloflower hath a thick woody root, from which rise up many strong- 

 jointed stocks, set with long, green leaves, by couples ; on the top of the 

 stalks do grow very fair flowers of an excellent sweet smell, and pleasant 

 carnation color, whereof it took his name." Then follows a rude wood-cut 

 of his "great double Carnation," of which the worthy old " apothecarie," 



