40 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 
exceed an average height of 18 inches; many of them are 
not more than a foot high. If well cultivated, they produce 
a profusion of beautiful flowers. The best seed ought to 
be obtained, and in that case the larger proportion of the 
plants will produce double flowers. There will always be 
a few single flowers, but even these are pretty, and they 
afford variety. The plants require a temperature of 55° 
for the flowers to develop to their best. Some amateurs 
suppose that Carnations will produce flowers in winter in 
an ordinary greenhouse from which frost is just excluded ; 
but they will not do so satisfactorily. They may develop 
a few specimens, but they are of poor quality, and not to 
be compared with flowers produced in a heated house. 
Mr. Benary has written me respecting a variety which 
he describes as much superior to the Marguerite. It is 
termed the Chaband. I have not seen it, but it is said 
to flower a month later; it is a better perpetual flowerer ; 
the flowers are said to be finer and capable of keeping in 
good condition longer, than the Marguerite Carnations. 
