The Origin and Early History of the Carnation 



old English name for carnation. However, the carnation cultivated at that 

 period was a different type of flower from the species which has been brought 

 into prominence and commercial importance by American horticulturists. The 

 type of carnation grown by European gardeners at that time, and which is 

 still largely the variety commonly grown in Europe, is usually kept in cold 

 frames, or cool houses, during the winter time, and as spring approaches 

 the plants are brought into blooming quarters ; that is, the pots are placed upon 

 stages exposed to the warm sun, where they can be protected until June or 

 July, at which time there is a profusion of blossoms, which endure for a 

 comparatively short period, the plants seemingly becoming exhausted ; conse- 

 quently, these varieties are not fitted for winter forcing, and may be classed 

 as a race of summer flowering carnations. 



In England, the cultivation of the carnation under glass for winter 

 blooming may also be said to be of recent origin. In Hovey's Magazine for 

 1862 occurs an article, entitled "Carnations in Winter," reproduced from The 

 Gardeners' Chronicle, of London. The writer of that article says, among 

 other things : 



"Carnations in winter ! Does not the name of Clove Gillyflower, or July flower, 

 which belongs to the plant, negative such a notion? For such questions we can only 

 reply that carnations in winter, and carnations of very good quality, too, are amongst 

 the comparatively modern improvements in floriculture, which, like the recently intro- 

 duced bouquet dahlias and many other favorites now within our reach, we owe to the 

 intelligent skill of far-seeing florists, who, having detected in their seed beds some novel, 

 though perhaps but slightly varied form, bearing indications of a new and desirable 

 feature, have followed up the limit until they have been able to bring out some old 

 favorites with a new face. 



"And yet, in respect to the tree carnations, which are those that yield winter flowers, 

 the hint was given many years ago, so that we can only speak of the result as 'compara- 

 tively modern.' The race, however, seems to have died out amongst us for many years, 

 and to have only again revived at a very recent period. Some forty years ago, it seems, 

 the first variety of tree carnations, one with crimson flowers, made its way into our 

 gardens." 



The National Carnation and Picotee Society of England was founded in 

 1850. 



The carnation as a garden plant was introduced into America over one 

 hundred years ago; the exact date, however, being uncertain. In 1831, 

 the Massachusetts Horticultural Society offered a prize for carnations. At 

 one of the society's exhibitions, held August i, 1829, a seedling was shown, 

 and the Messrs. Winship and David Haggerston exhibited one hundred 

 varieties in 1830. 



20 



