Encyclopaedia of Gardening 6 1 



common Lady's Smock, with its white or lilac flowers (" lady's 

 smocks, all silver white "), is Cardamine pratensis. Garden lovers 

 prefer the double white. They grow about 18 ins. high and bloom 

 in May. C. diphylla (Dentaria diphylla of the older botanists) is 

 also pretty. It bears white flowers in May, and grows about 18 ins. 

 high. They like moist soil in a cool spot, and may be propagated 

 by division. 



Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis. 

 Cardoon. See Kitchen Garden. 



Carex, Sedge (ca-rex, from keiro, to cut, in allusion to the sharp 

 edges. Ord. Cyperaceae). One or two of the Carexes are good for 

 growing in pools among Water Lilies, and the species Pseudo- 

 cyperus may be mentioned particularly in this connection. It has 

 triangular stems, and grows about 3 ft. high. Plant at the same 

 time as the Water Lilies. See Flower Garden. 



Carnations, Picotees, and Pinks. Whether represented by the 

 huge-bloomed, long-stemmed, highly perfumed American Carna- 

 tions; the fragrant Malmaisons; the flaked flowers beloved of old- 

 time florists ; the Cloves of the border ; or the Pinks of the cottage 

 garden, this lovely genus wins our admiration and love. Carna- 

 tions, Picotees, and laced Pinks have sprung from Dianthus caro- 

 phyllus, and the common white Pink from Dianthus plumarius. 

 Carnations have been specialised for hundreds of years, and it 

 would be difficult to trace their upward progress from the small, 

 irregular early forms to the large, symmetrical varieties which we 

 have to-day. Florists have worked patiently on them for century 

 after century, with the result that we have at our command an 

 almost embarrassingly rich assortment of lovely varieties. 



Garden Carnations. The best garden Carnations are drawn from 

 the self or one-coloured class, the modern representatives of which 

 combine perfect form with brilliant colours and (in many cases) 

 delicious scent. Would that we could add freedom from insects 

 and fungi, but the truth is that modern Carnations, whether from 

 over-fertilisation, excessive propagation, or unnecessary coddling 

 under glass, are not constitutionally vigorous. It is best to start 

 with a collection of young, clean plants in spring, and plant them 

 in deeply tilled but not heavily manured soil. Friable, well- 

 drained, sandy loam is the best; should the soil be stiff and heavy 

 it will be wise to crumble it well by digging after frost, and adding 

 road scrapings, mortar rubbish, and ashes, both of wood and coal. 

 If the soil is rich the plants had better be set 18 ins. apart. Neat 

 flower stakes must be put to the plants as the flower stems rise, and 

 care must be taken not to bind stem and stake tightly. The plants 

 may be grown in beds or in border clumps. Where there are 

 several beds to fill one might well be devoted to Carnations and 

 Picotees, for the plants will be more varied, and more interesting 

 the summer through, than Geraniums or Begonias, if less brilliant 

 at a particular season. It must be remembered that the plants are 

 evergreen, and as long as they are healthy they are attractive. 



Diseases. Unfortunately, the beauty of the silvery foliage is 



