194 Carnations. — Hollyhocks. 



in beds, in rows, and in groups. I plant my seed, say from the middle of 

 May to the first of June, in seed-beds, just as I should carrots, — rows four 

 inches apart, and seed covered an eighth of an inch deep. In two weeks, 

 they will, if the weather be favorable, break ground. When they are two 

 inches high, I transplant them, either into the places where they are to 

 bloom, about twelve inches apart each way, or into any compartments which 

 are more convenient to winter them in. They require no further attention, 

 except to keep the soil loose, and free from weeds. The secret of success in 

 keeping them over winter consists in Ltting them alone, without any protection. 



If you cover them, they will keep well until the spring ; but, soon after the 

 covering is removed, they will turn brown, and perish. I formerly lost half 

 my stock ; but, now that I leave them just as I do the grass on the 

 lawn, I seldom lose a plant. Good seed may be obtained of any reputable 

 florist. I formerly was very particular in trying to get choice Italian seed; 

 and one-half the iime I succeeded in getting choice and expensive Italian 

 humbug. I now buy the best seed, quite indifferent whether it is French, 

 German, Italian, or American. 



In some years I am deceived, and have a crop of single pinks. Of 

 course, I am duly vexed, and blow up seedsmen in general, and my man in 

 particular. He is very sorry too, and says he bought it for the best, but 

 that foreign seedsmen are so little to be relied on ! Well, after appeasing 

 my indignation, I turn to my single pinks, and declare, that for brilliancy 

 in color, abundant fragrance, and simplicity, they far excel double ones. 

 But at least, four years out of five, I gat genuine seed, and hosts of fine 

 carnations of every shade of color ever found in this class of flowers. 



I never attempt to preserve any, though I have plants which a florist 

 would jump at the chance of preserving ; but I take a greater pleasure 

 in planting new seed, and curiously waiting to see what it will produce. 



This is written, not for exquisite amateurs nor professional florists, but 

 for common people who would like to possess carnations, and are not too 

 exquisite in their notions. Any good garden-soil is good enough for them. 

 The artificial soil, the pottings off, the extra liquid-manures, may all en- 

 hance the amusement of competitors for premiums; but flowers good 

 enough for plain people, and enough of them, can be had without this trou- 

 ble. Once g:t good seed, and carnations are as easily grown as common gra s. 



