126 PRESERVED CARNATIONS [JULY. 



While writing on the subject of carnations, 

 I must tell you of a plan, adopted by a gentle- 

 man who is passionately fond of this flower, in 

 order to shew, at any time of the year, speci- 

 mens of the varieties he possesses. When 

 they are in full bloom, he chooses from each 

 the handsomest petal, and gums it down on 

 the leaf of a blank book kept for this purpose; 

 afterwards, he covers over the petal itself with 

 gum, which preserves its colour; opposite to 

 each petal is the name of the flower, or num- 

 ber of the pot, from which it was taken; so 

 that when, at any season, he gives his friends 

 cuttings or plants, he can shew them, at the 

 same time, the kinds they are taken from. 



You may still continue to raise all sorts of 

 green-house plants from cuttings, likewise 

 sweet-williams, pinks, &c., though it is better 

 to do this earlier. The pinks and carnations, 



