CHAPTER II 



The Carnation in America 



THE commercial importance of the carnation as a florists' flower has 

 been developed since the introduction of the French or remontant 

 varieties into America, which occurred about the year 1852. The 

 commencement of the raising of seedlings by Dailledouze & Zeller, of Flat- 

 bush, Long Island, in 1866, may be stated as the beginning, or as laying the 

 foundation of the American carnation, which may be classed as a distinct or 

 modified species, the product of acclimatization and hybridization. The 

 superiority of the American-bred carnation for the purpose of winter forcing 

 is now acknowledged throughout the world and its importance as a florists' 

 flower is constantly on the increase. 



No other flower possesses more intrinsic value than the carnation. It has 

 become, perhaps, the greatest staple commercial flower in existence, a serious 

 rival to the rose, destined to supersede the Queen of Flowers, to some extent, 

 in popularity, and to remain in greenhouse culture as long as the love of 

 flowers or the use of them exists. The improvement in the quality and per- 

 fection of the bloom now grown, and the superior methods of marketing the 

 flowers, have brought about a constantly increasing use of the carnation, as 

 well as substantial advancements in price. 



The carnation is a flower that awakens the love of almost every person, 

 and as the average blooms are sold at much more reasonable prices than 

 many other flowers, they come within the reach of a larger class of people 

 than do roses and orchids ; consequently, the consumption is greater, and the 

 use of the carnation by rich and poor alike is rapidly extending. 



There is no purpose to which flowers can be put for which the car- 

 nation is not fitted. It aptly lends itself to almost every scheme of decoration. 

 Its delicious, clean, pungent, aromatic fragrance admits it to almost every 

 sick room. It is probably one of the most satisfactory and one of the most 

 durable vase flowers known. It is unsurpassed for dinner or center-table 

 decoration. It is universally employed in the making up of set pieces. It is 

 also one of the best flowers for boutonnieres that the florist has at his 

 command ; and, finally, its wide range of pleasing colors, its lasting qualities. 



