Raising Carnations from Seed 



cerns what is most pleasing to the greatest number. Therefore, it follows 

 that the producer of new carnations should keep in touch with the retailer, 

 and should avail himself of the latter's knowledge whenever possible. 



Choose pure tones of color, those possessing the greatest elements of 

 fixedness. Avoid dull, fading, or washy colors, and above all, those peculiar 

 combinations of discordant tints that shock the optic nerve. 



Every flower coming with long stiff stems, large and double, of good 

 form and calyx, and the plant a free bloomer, will not prove commercially 

 valuable; but a combination of size, pure tone of color, good stem, form, 

 fragrance and calyx, with freedom of bloom, and above all not forgetting 

 selling qualities, is what constitutes a first-class commercial carnation, and 

 the grower who produces such a one deserves the plaudits of his fellow 

 growers. 



Introducing New Varieties Into Commerce 



Having determined the candidate for introduction, the method of bring- 

 ing it before the trade will next interest the originator. There are two 

 methods now in use, differing to such an extent as to deserve separate 

 descriptions. The first and possibly that most frequently employed is what 

 we may term the "boom method," which in order to be successfully carried 

 out needs the co-operation of several different elements, and the accumulation 

 of a large number of stock plants. 



Briefly stated, the "boom method" consists of praising and pushing the 

 merits of the candidate for introduction in all possible ways, and advertising 

 all its virtues, real and imaginary, constantly through all available media. 

 Certificates of merit, special cups and prizes offered to be won by the candi- 

 date, as well as frequent exhibitions at flower shows, supplemented by well- 

 written press notices, form the usual plan, and when cleverly carried out, 

 result in large sales and considerable profit to the introducer during the year 

 of introduction. 



The second and perhaps the most desirable method might be termed the 

 "business method," which, while not productive of such large sales the first 

 year, eventually accomplishes more for the general benefit of the frater- 

 nity than the method just previously described, and may be safely adopted with 

 a stock of 1,500 to 2,000 plants to propagate from. The varieties selected 

 for introduction may be brought to the attention of the trade by placing the 

 flowers in the hands of leading retailers, as well as by judicious advertising, 

 and staging blooms at the annual exhibitions. 



The descriptions given should be correct. Avoid producing impressions, 



212 



