46 THE BOOK OF THE CARNATION 



eight flowering-stems each, are produced in pots six 

 inches in diameter ; but extra strong plants afforded a 

 further shift into eight-inch pots produces a more than 

 relative amount of bloom. Ordinary turfy loam, 

 lightened with the addition of leaf-mould, a small pro- 

 portion of sifted cow-dung, and sand to render the com- 

 post open beyond question, forms a suitable rooting 

 medium. It is a mistake to try to force plants into bloom. 

 The proper method is to time the plants so that buds are 

 well forward previous to the advent of winter, when a slight 

 accession of heat will bring them on without enervating 

 the plants, finally leaving them diseased and worthless. 



The number of varieties in cultivation is quite per- 

 plexing, especially if one grows Continental forms, some 

 of which are quite lovely, though it must be confessed 

 the flowers as a rule are rough and unkempt, as are 

 American sorts when compared with English varieties. 

 Still it is apparent that the Americans are more and more 

 attracting the attention of cultivators, and in a select 

 dozen such as the undernoted they cannot be over- 

 looked. A first-rate twelve will include America, one 

 of the best sorts at present to be had. It is of strong 

 growth, with cerise flowers ; Duchess of Portland ; La 

 Villette, yellow ground with crimson stripes, and a sweet 

 perfume ; Melba, fine pink, with long stiff stems, blooms 

 very fragrant ; Mrs. Leopold Rothschild (Madame 

 Therese Franco), a very free and lovely variety ; Mrs. 

 Lawson (Mrs. Thomas W. Lawson), the long-stemmed, 

 deep pink American variety that is now grown every- 

 where ; Mrs. S. J. Brooks, a strong clove-scented pure 

 white form ; Mr. Edward Smith ; Prosperity, one of the 

 finest, rosy ; Royalty, very fine, with long stems ; Winter 

 Beauty, said to be an improved Winter Cheer, which, 

 however, cannot be left out. In addition, Yule Tide, 

 Deutche Brant, General Gomez, Uriah Pike, and William 

 Robinson, are sorts that may well be grown too. 



