PERPETUAL BORDER CARNATIONS, AND OTHERS 51 



to the newer qualities. That much we may rely upon, and it will 

 be a guarantee that as the new class increases in number, as it now 

 shows every disposition to, the new comers will be judged by the 

 quality of their flowers alone, and not by the longevity of their 

 season. Subject to this we believe the perpetual border carnation 

 will prove a commercial success, and that raisers of stocks will do 

 well to give it considerable attention. Up till recently the carnation 

 has been looked upon as a flower useless in the garden or the 

 market after July. That has been the only objection to it, and has 

 militated greatly against its more general planting ; but with that 

 gone there remains no other, and the increased demand for plants 

 is a dead certainty. 



Picotees must not be confused with Fancies. Their white or 

 yellow ground should be clear, and the edging of the petals with a 

 brighter colour clean and regular. For some reason it has never 

 become a really popular market flower. It is ofttimes difficult 

 to account for market standards, and this is a case in point. Pretti- 

 ness, of itself, does not appear to be a marketable commodity, 

 for if it was the picotee would long since have been a prime favourite. 

 Still, the growers of carnation plants will find there is a steady 

 demand for picotees amongst their clients, both for the white or 

 yellow ground, and if no one else grew them, the exhibitor would 

 still have to. In a general collection of carnations, the radiant 

 distinct edgings stand out clearly and add a vivacity and attractive- 

 ness which are all their own. 



Bizarre and flaked carnations might more simply, for all practical 

 purposes, be called striped carnations. Fancies, very similar to 

 them, are not so distinctly striped, but suffused, striped, and edged 

 with colour. We have always found the latter to be as suitable 

 for the border as any carnation can be, but the two former must, 

 for utility, be classed with the picotees. 



The old Crimson Clove stands in a category by itself. It has 

 been put there by the traditions and affections of more than one 

 generation. It will remain a prime favourite long after some 

 of the beauties of to-day have given place to others. It is being 

 improved, sometimes under new names, but whether in the old 

 type or in the newer stocks the old Crimson Clove will remain 

 the old Crimson Clove, no matter what other name you give it. 



