CARNATIONS, PICOTEES, AND PINKS 67 



tufts of grassy grey leaves, and presently push flower 

 stems. They will not need much cultural treatment 

 until the stems are long, but the bed may be hoed to 

 keep weeds down, and water may be given in dry 

 weather. When the flower stems begin to bend over, 

 stakes should be put to them. The loops made in tying 

 should be loose, in order to avoid checking extension. 

 Carnation experts use special supports which florists 

 sell. Porter's and Sydenham's are both very good. 



When flower-buds show, the number on each stem 

 may be reduced to three, if very nice flowers are wanted. 

 If no disbudding is practised, there will be a larger 

 number of smaller flowers. Exhibitors permit only one 

 flower stem, and disbud, but many flower gardeners 

 do not, preferring to let the plants bloom naturally. 



For towns. The plants will come into flower in July, 

 and will probably be at their best towards the end of 

 that month. If they are healthy, and the flower stems 

 strong, the beds or clumps will be objects of great 

 beauty. And they can be had in town or suburban as 

 well as in country gardens, for the Carnation is one of 

 the best of town flowers. Several of the most successful 

 exhibitors grow their plants in or near large towns. It 

 may be said that of all the great popular flowers Carna- 

 tions and Chrysanthemums are the two best for town 

 and suburban gardeners to specialise. 



The propagation of garden Carnations is conducted 

 by means of seeds and layers. Seeds give large, healthy, 

 free-blooming plants if the strain and culture are good ; 

 from a poor strain the flowers are small and of no special 

 quality. They look charming in the garden, however, 

 and are good for cutting. Seed should be sown thinly 

 in June, in well-pulverised soil, and covered half an inch 

 deep. If the seedlings come through in a mass, they 



