CARNATION AS MARKET FLOWER 67 



taking much amiss ; transplantation at any season, even 

 when in full flower, requiring, however, a sufficient supply 

 of water at root till re-established. 



THE CARNATION AS A MARKET FLOWER 



A short notice of the place this family occupies as a 

 market plant may be considered necessary. For up-to- 

 date information I appealed to Mr. George Monro, 

 junior, who kindly furnished the following details, which 

 afford a glimpse of the remarkably limited number that 

 are thought worth the market-grower's attention. The 

 colours, it will be seen, are distinct, and of their kind as 

 perfect as may be had, though the form of the flowers 

 are not such as appeal to the florist. During the 

 outdoor season the Carnations chiefly brought to market 

 are Raby Castle, Mrs. Reynolds Hole, Uriah Pike, and 

 Duchess of Fife, of the latter of which I can vouch for 

 its fine quality as offered in the streets of London. A 

 few years ago I passed in Gracechurch Street a street 

 merchant, whose stock-in-trade consisted solely of a 

 large bunch of lovely pink Carnations, which I thought 

 was the Duchess, but to make sure I put to him the 

 question, " What are these ? " Business, alas ! had 

 dulled his other senses, and his reply, "A penny each, 

 sir ! " contributed nothing to its identification. Germania 

 is also produced in great quantities during summer, but 

 are grown in glasshouses. During the London season 

 the pink Souvenir de la Malmaison (Princess of Wales) 

 is very popular. Guernsey used to be a great growing 

 centre for these ; but I believe the plants there have 

 become badly affected with disease, and the supply 

 has accordingly diminished to a great extent. The 

 greatest proportion of this variety is said to be sent to 

 London from private gardens, and the best samples are 

 derived from Scottish growers. During winter and spring 



