348 Cultivation of the Carnation and Picotee. 



able to accept. We are pleased to learn, however, that the 

 festival was attended by quite a large number of amateurs 

 and nurserymen of the western part of New York and Ohio. 

 The exhibition was one of the finest of this fruit, probably, 

 ever made in the county. About forty distinct varieties were 

 exhibited. The judges examined the cherries under Nos,, 

 without any designation as to kinds. The award of merit 

 was given unanimously in favor of what proved to be the 

 Doctor's Seedlings, which we described in our April number, 

 (p. 166.) Among the best selected were "Delicate" and 

 " Mammoth." We expect to have a full report of the meet- 

 ing, which we shall give to our readers. Dr. Kirtland has 

 been enthusiastic in his labors to improve the cherry, and we 

 are glad to know they have been crowned with success. 



Art. IV. The Cultivation of the Carnation and Picotee. 



Our gardens cannot boast of a more beautiful flower than 

 the carnation in its present highly improved and cultivated 

 state. Its brilliant colors and delightful odor never fail to 

 attract the attention of all who have the least taste for flow- 

 ers. Hogg, an old English writer on the carnation, and one 

 of the most successful cultivators, in his Treatise on their 

 growth, remarks, " Of all the flowers of the garden, whether 

 they charm the eye by their beauty, or regale the sense of 

 smelling by their fragrance, the carnation may be justly said 

 to hold the first rank. The stateliness of its growth, the 

 brilliancy and delicacy of its colors, and the sweetness of its 

 perfume never fail to attract our regard aud admiration." 



The carnation has been brought to a high state of cultiva- 

 tion by English florists. France has done everything for the 

 rose ; but to England belongs the credit of bringing this 

 beautiful flower to the highest perfection. It is truly the 

 amateur's flower. Professional cultivators and nurserymen 

 have never given it that care which is necessary to ensure 

 successful growth. The same author we have just quoted, 



