80 THE FLOWER GARDEN COMPANION. 



colored, and purple. Formerly, they were only shown in 

 two classes, red and purple, without any reference to the 

 extent of the coloring; but now each class is subdivided into 

 heavy-edged, with the color thickly laid on round the margin 

 of the leaf, and are called in Lancashire Striped Picotees ; 

 and feathered, or light-edged, where the color touches the leaf 

 in an unbroken delicate line." 



The Carnation, like the Dahlia, and other florist flowers, is 

 increased by seed, to obtain new varieties, which are named 

 by those who produce them. The seed may be sown in pots, 

 or in the open ground, early in the spring; and the young 

 plants may-be potted and managed the same as recommended 

 for general culture. They will flower the second year, when 

 the grower may see the qualities of his new varieties. The 

 general culture I recommend, is to propagate the Carnation 

 by layers, in August or September, immediately after they 

 have done flowering ; and when the plants are well rooted, 

 which will be in four weeks, they are to be put into moderate 

 sized pots, in a compost of two-thirds loam and a portion of 

 sand and rotten leaf mould: when this is done, they may be 

 placed where they are not too much shaded, nor receive too 

 much influence from the sun. The plants are to remain in 

 this situation until the first frost appears, when they are to be 

 placed in a cold frame, well lined on the outside with stable 

 manure. In this situation during the winter they must often 

 be examined, and divested of any dead leaves or filth they 

 may collect, and air admitted every opportunity in fine wea- 

 ther. When the winter is over, the plants may be plunged 

 into the proper place for flowering, which should be an 

 exposure, where the sun has not full influence over them : 

 they may again be layered at the proper time, and the same 

 culture continued every year. 



One great point in the culture of this plant is, that it be not 

 over-watered in the winter, which, when the severe change 

 comes and freezes it, the sap vessels often burst, and if it does 

 not cause the leaves to perish, the plant is much injured and 



