Preface 



This book has been prepared under somewhat unfavorable and discour- 

 aging circumstances, as during the period of work much unexpected addi- 

 tional labor has fallen upon my shoulders, materially hindering the writing 

 of the volume and doubtless impairing its .value. 



To Mr. Alex. Wallace, Editor of The Florists' Exchange, New York, 

 my thanks and the gratitude of the readers of the book are due for his 

 efficient aid in editing the original manuscript and revising proofs ; also 

 for his researches into the early history of the carnation, and his compilation 

 and correction of the matters contained in Chapter I. 



To Mr. Charles L. Allen, of Floral Park, N. Y., who kindly placed at 

 my disposal his peerless horticultural library, as well as lending generous 

 aid in assisting my researches, I am greatly indebted for much information 

 regarding the ancient culture of carnations. 



I am also similarly indebted to "The Carnation," by Thomas Hogg, 

 published in 1830 ; to Don's Gardeners' Dictionary, to Nicholson's Dictionary 

 of Gardening, and to the Cyclopedia of American Horticulture. 



To Mr. Fred Dorner, of Lafayette, Ind., the Father of the Carnation 

 in the West; to that good old horticulturist, Mr. Charles Zeller, of 

 Flatbush, Long Island ; to Mr. Eugene Dailledouze, son of Mr. John 

 Dailledouze, of the old-time firm of Dailledouze, Zeller & Card, of Flatbush, 

 N. Y. ; to Mr. Sewell Fisher, of Framingham, Mass., and Mr. William 

 Swayne, of Kennett Square, Pa., I am indebted for information and 

 assistance in ascertaining the early history of carnation culture in America, 

 and for many valuable suggestions given me during past years. I am 

 also particularly indebted to the following gentlemen, who have so kindly 

 contributed the chapters upon cultural methods as practiced in their 

 immediate localities : Mr. Peter Fisher, Ellis, Mass. ; Mr. Richard 

 Witterstartter, Sedamsville, O. ; Mr. E. G. Hill, Richmond, Ind.; Mr. 

 Henry Weber, Oakland, Md. ; Mr. John H. Sievers, San Francisco, Cal. ; 

 Mr. W. R. Shelmire, Atlanta, Ga. ; Mr. Fred Dorner, Lafayette, Ind. ; 

 and Mr. John H. Dunlop, Toronto, Ontario. 



If by means of this humble effort I shall have succeeded in rendering 

 my brother carnationists material aid, and shall have lightened the pathway 

 of those enthusiasts who are now springing up and becoming lovers of and 

 ardent devotees to the culture of the Divine Flower, I shall be satisfied that 

 the volume has not been written in vain. 



