CHAPTER IX 
SOUVENIR DE LA MALMAISON CARNATIONS 
By JAMES FINDLAY McLEOD, F.R.H.S. 
AMONGST the many types of Carnations, none can compare 
favourably with that known as Souvenir de la Malmaison. 
The flowers are richer in colour and sweeter in perfume 
than those of any other Carnation, whilst a first-class 
specimen plant, with its handsome, curved leaves of glau- 
cous green, is an object of admiration and a source of 
pride to the cultivator. It is a source of pride because 
the ‘“ Malmaison” Carnation has not been found easy of 
cultivation in all gardens; on the contrary, until quite 
recently, it has succeeded to its best in comparatively 
few instances. The cause may be reasonably attributed 
to imperfect knowledge on the part of the cultivator, or 
shall I say to a failure to thoroughly understand the 
peculiar habits and requirements of this type, which 
certainly differs in some respects from all others? At 
the same time, the general culture is not very different to 
that afforded the tree or perpetual-flowering varieties, in 
its main characteristics, the chief variation being that the 
Malmaison plants require a cooler atmosphere, especially 
during winter, when they must not be subjected to anything 
likely to stimulate them into making growth. 
Much has been said and written as to the adaptability 
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