CARNATIONS. 



CARNATIONS. 



the turfy top spit in preference, and add to 

 this one-third of thoroughly rotted cow or 

 stable dung, and one measure of drift 

 sand, or other sharp grit, to every ten 

 measures of the compost. The alluvial 

 deposit from water-courses, like a mill 

 head, is an excellent substitute for the 

 maiden loam. In preparing the bed for 

 carnations, having filled the bottom with 

 sufficient drainage material, and secured 

 an outfall for the water, fill in the compost 

 till nearly full. On this surface spread out 

 the roots horizontally, and fill up with 

 fresh compost, pressing the whole firmly 

 but gently down in that position. The 

 soil best suited to receive young plants, 

 when potted, is a mixture of good light 

 loam with well-rotted manure from old 

 cucumber or melon beds. This mixture 

 should be made some months before it is 

 required for use, and at the time of potting 

 a little sea sand or fine road sand should 

 be added to the soil. 



Carnations, Preparation of, for 

 Exhibition. 



The preparation of carnations and 

 picotees for exhibition is quite an art, 

 and to some a mystery. The base of the 

 petals, which are mere threads issuing 

 from the calyx, supports broad, heavy 

 blades, which form the expanded blossoms ; 

 the largest -sized, which should be outside, 

 being frequently in the centre. If the 

 flower were left to itself, the calyx would 

 probably be split all the way down one 

 side, the other side not opening at all. 

 To counteract this tendency, it is necessary 

 to tie the calyx round the middle when 

 the bud is nearly full-grown, and before it 

 splits ; and when the bud begins to open 

 at the top, to pull back the five pieces 

 which form the outer leaves of the calyx 

 down to the point where it is tied ; this 

 enables the petals to develop themselves 

 properly. 



It is necessary, moreover, that these 

 petals should be "dressed," to make them 

 presentable. This is done by bringing all 

 the petals into their proper places, passing 

 the threads of the broadest petals outside 

 those of the smaller, and guiding the 

 others to the centre according to their 

 size. This is obviously a very delicate 

 operation, and should be commenced as 

 soon as the petals begin to develop them- 

 selves. The larger petals are to be placed 

 outside, and should form a complete circle; 

 the next largest follow, making an inner 

 circle, each petal lapping over the centre 

 of that on which it rests ; the third row 

 being placed on the joinings of the second, 

 and a fourth row, should there be one, on 

 the joints of the third ; while the whole 

 continues to grow and expand, giving a 

 natural effect to this artificial operation of 

 dressing the flower. 



The mode of operation is to take hold 

 of the broadest part of the petal with a 

 pair of smooth flat tweezers of ivory or 

 bone, and by a gentle twist to bring the 

 base round into the position it is to 

 assume ; the whole being usually sup- 

 ported by a card, in which a hole is cut 

 large enough to let the calyx about half- 

 way through, while the petals fall back 

 upon, and are supported by, the card, 

 which is circular in shape, to correspond 

 with the expanded flower. 



Carnations, Tree. 



These are so called from their peculiar 

 habit, the shoots being long and straggling, 

 with an upward tendency, and requiring 

 training on sticks or a trellis of bars be- 

 tween two side pieces. They are also 

 known as Perpetual Carnations. They are 

 invaluable for winter blooms. The culti- 

 vation and soil are much the same as for 

 the ordinary carnation. The cuttings, 

 which will be furnished by the side shoots, 

 may be struck in July or August in gentle 



