THE CARNATION". 27 



erection of many large establishments devoted almost 

 entirely to growing them. We also find a considerable 

 number of florists whose principal business is the grow- 

 ing of hundreds of thousands of rooted cuttings and 

 plants, for sale to other florists. The reason for the 

 demand need not long be sought for, as it is very evident 

 that the carnation, as a flower available the year round, 

 has few, if any, equals. It is showy and attractive, its 

 colors are well adapted for use in decoration and for 

 personal adornment, it has a pleasing fragrance, and the 

 flowers are far more lasting than those of the rose and 

 most other plants, and these points in its favor, together 

 with the fact that they are sold at a comparatively low 

 price, have made it the people's flower, and led to the 

 great growth in carnation culture. 



PROPAGATION". 



For ordinary greenhouse cultivation, the plants are 

 generally started from cuttings as early as November or 

 December, although with a favorable summer for their 

 growth, strong plants can be obtained by the last of 

 August from cuttings struck as late as March. If de- 

 sired for summer blooming, they should be struck as 

 early even as October, and if flowers are desired in the 

 early fall, the making of the cuttings should not be de- 

 layed after November. Another reason for making the 

 cuttings so early is that at that time the plants are 

 strong and vigorous, while later on they will be weak- 

 ened by flower production, and by the forcing process to 

 which they are subjected during the winter. 



As often propagated, it is not strange that varieties 

 run out, but with proper care much can be done to pre- 

 vent it, if the cuttings are rightly selected. Above all, 

 they should not be made from plants that are in any 

 way diseased or that have been flowering freely for a 

 long period. The best cuttings are made from side 



