; CHAPTER XXIII 



FASHIONABLE FLOWERS 



For the moment Sweet Peas and Carnations are indubitably 

 fashionable. Even if they were not, the home gardener could 

 dispense with neither. 



THERE are fashions in flowers as in most other things, 

 but luckily they show no violent change from year to 

 year. It goes without saying that Roses are always 

 fashionable, but two flowers that are now almost as 

 popular are Carnations and Sweet Peas. All three were 

 lauded as the Coronation flower by the respective societies 

 that control their destinies and foster their development 

 in public favour. Though the Rose was no doubt an easy 

 first, the cultivation of the others received great encourage- 

 ment. For the moment they are indubitably fashionable, 

 and even if they were not, the home gardener who wishes 

 to derive all possible pleasure from his garden can dis- 

 pense neither with Carnations nor Sweet Peas. 



Carnations are of such persuasive form, and delight- 

 fully varied colouring, that even if they lack the immortal 

 grace of fragrance, which, alas! so many of them do, 

 they still have a way of getting close to the gardener's 

 heart, almost without his knowing it. That has been my 



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