32 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



and that neither at the expense of hardiness nor any other essential 

 established quality. 



There is yet another reason why its popularity is firmly established 

 and still growing : it altogether outvies the present standard of 

 perpetual flowering varieties in its range of colours. Possibly 

 its young and vigorous offspring will in years to come get on level 

 terms with it, may even dispute the supremacy, but that is not 

 yet, nor can we see any signs that it will be for some years to come. 

 At all events up to this winter of 1921, though new colours and 

 shades and bizarre combinations have been added to the perpetual 

 varieties, the old border carnation, in its later forms, is yet supreme 

 in this all-important particular. 



With new forms there comes new stamina, and this is in a way 

 calculated to increase the value of the cut bloom. Formerly, 

 there was a weakness about the neck and a corresponding weakness 

 in the calyx, which depreciated the value of the flower, and there 

 was a measure of unreliability about it. With a weak neck and a 

 bursting calyx the flower was under suspicion and often ragged and 

 unlovely. These glaring weaknesses are being improved out of 

 existence, so that the only disadvantages possessed by the border 

 carnation as a subject for cutting for market are rapidly dis- 

 appearing. 



In its season, no flowers on the market meet with a readier sale 

 if a wise selection of varieties are grown. The markets have their 

 likes and dislikes, and it does not necessarily follow that some of 

 the more aesthetic varieties which a connoiseur would gloat over 

 would prove to be good sellers in Covent Garden. It is the more 

 decided colours which generally find favour there crimson, scarlet, 

 pink, yellow, white with a few picotee edged. Anyone planting 

 for the cut blooms should select these colours, or at least consult 

 his salesman as to what will sell the best. 



What we have said so far justifies our opinion that this type 

 of carnation has a very considerable commercial value, and that 

 this opinion only needs emphasising because of the strong advocacy 

 for the perpetual flowering varieties in the present day. But the 

 two types do not clash. Though the latter may be grown and is 

 in fact recommended for outdoor summer culture, it will not, it 

 cannot, take the place of its parent as a " border " subject. Our 



