1 62 THE NEW GARDENING 



bloomers ; why, therefore, should they be grown under 

 glass ? There is no reason except that it gives cleaner 

 and more refined show flowers. Flower-gardeners will 

 not object to Carnation-lovers growing the plants in 

 any way that may be proper so long as the point is kept 

 in view that new varieties must be hardy, strong in con- 

 stitution, vigorous in growth and liberal in their flowering. 

 A grower for show would not emphasize these points, 

 and that is why his influence must not be allowed to 

 become paramount among raisers. The flower-gardener 

 must insist upon being recognized. He must make his 

 voice heard. The more strongly he asserts himself the 

 better it will be for the plant. If the Border Carnation 

 became monopolized by exhibitors, and grown under 

 glass for the greater part of the year, its constitution 

 would become seriously undermined ; it would lose its 

 hardiness, vigour and free-blooming habit, and it would 

 be even more liable to disease than it is at the present time. 



The Border Carnations must be kept as the Border 

 Carnation. If consistently grown in pots it is the Border 

 Carnation no longer. With the extension of pot culture 

 there has gone hand in hand greater predisposition to 

 disease. 



I have referred previously to the love of novelty which 

 affects those who specialize a particular plant. In the 

 case of the Carnation there is more than the love of novelty 

 at work in the direction of change of variety : there is 

 natural degeneration. A particular sort does not retain 

 its quality year after year ; within a few years perhaps 

 six or seven of its introduction, it shows signs of de- 

 terioration. The flowers become fewer and smaller, 

 and the plant falls a ready prey to disease. In spite of 

 its delicious perfume the old Clove Carnation has almost 

 died out of modern gardens, and this I believe to be as 



