46 FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



side, suppose the color was so named from the tint of the Carnation 

 flower. The name of clove was given from its perfume being 

 similar to that spice, and the flower on that account, was frequently 

 used to flavor dainty dishes, as well as liquors, and also thought to 

 possess considerable medicinal properties. The perfect Carnation 

 should have a stem, strong, tall, and straight, not less than thirty, 

 nor more than forty-five inches in height; the footstalks supporting 

 each separate flower should be strong, elastic, and of a propor- 

 tionate length. The flower should be at least three inches in 

 diameter consisting of a great number of large, well formed, petals; 

 but neither so many as to give it a too full and crowded appearance, 

 nor so few as to make it appear too thin and empty. The petals 

 should be long, broad, and substantial, particularly those of the 

 lower or outer circle, commonly called the guard leaves ; these 

 should rise perpendicularly about half an inch above the calyx, 

 and then turn off gracefully in a horizontal direction, supporting 

 the interior petals which should gradually decrease as they ap- 

 proach the centre, and altogether forming a convex and nearly 

 hemispherical corolla. Colors perfectly distinct, and disposed in 

 long, narrow, stripes, broadest at the edge of the laminae, and 

 becoming narrower as they approach the claw. The propagation 

 is by layers and pipings for continuing approved sorts, and by seed 

 for procuring new varieties. The seeds should be sown about the 

 middle of May, in pots filled with compost, with a light mould just 

 sufficient to cover, scattered over them. When six inches high 

 plant them in the garden. Hogg says, if a florist raises six new 

 Carnations in his life time, he may be considered fortunate. When 

 increased by layers, do it when the plants are in full bloom. 

 When placed as ornaments in rooms, a small piece of nitre should 

 be added to the water, and a small piece of the flowerstalk cut off 

 each day, which will prolong their freshness a considerable time. 

 This plant is the emblem of DIGNITY. 



