452 THE SURVIVAL OF THE UNLIKE, [XXVIII. 



"A casual observer, if at all interested in flori- 

 culture, cannot fail to have noticed that there has 

 been a marked advance in the appearance of carna- 

 tion blooms as they are now offered for sale, as 

 compared with the blooms as grown even ten years 

 ago ; and to those who have watched such improve- 

 ment critically, it is a prophecy of even greater 

 advancement. Ten years ago the leading varieties 

 were Edwardsii, DeGraw, La Purite, King of Crimson, 

 and Astoria, scarcely any of which are grown now 

 by the commercial florist. Probably greater progress 

 has been made during the last three years in the im- 

 provement of the carnation than ever before, and the 

 present year has produced several varieties of striking 

 merit. 



"Mr. Thorpe's prediction of the ideal flower, so 

 often referred to among growers — a flower four 

 inches in diameter, with the other highest attributes, 

 and to sell for one dollar each — seemed somewhat 

 chimerical when made two years ago, but now the 

 fulfillment appears to be much nearer at hand. 

 Flowers with particularly attractive qualities are sell- 

 ing readily for one -third to one -half advance over 

 less favored varieties. The production of carnations 

 is rapidly on the increase, while the demand seems 

 to keep pace therewith. As in other industries, the 

 supply of inferior products is often excessive, and the 

 prices received fall below a profitable figure ; but 

 first-class flowers will readily sell at wholesale for 

 seventy -five cents to one dollar for one hundred 

 blooms at any time, and during seasons of particular 

 demand two dollars and fifty cents to three dollars 

 per hundred is frequently obtained. It is safe to say 



