“TREE” CARNATIONS 63 
not be allowed to flower the first year, but should be 
repotted when rooted, into 8-inch pots, the tops nipped 
off to make them bushy, and no flower-stems allowed to 
rise till the autumn following.” Such was the general 
practice until a few years ago ; but, with the advent of the 
freer-flowering, more robust Carnations from America, the 
methods of cultivation have changed completely, and better 
results are obtained from a nine- to twelve-months-old 
plant than used to be got from those of two years’ growth, 
In many gardens Perpetual-Flowering Carnations have, 
to a large extent, supplanted the hard-wooded greenhouse 
plants, and the houses in which these latter were cultivated 
have been converted into Carnation houses, I would say 
to those about to enter upon the cultivation of Carna- 
tions for winter flowering, that the most important item 
to bear in mind is the selecting or building of a house 
in such a position as will ensure the greatest amount of 
light. The structure should consist of the maximum 
amount of glass and as little wood as is consistent with 
the stability of the structure. I know of no plant which 
will give the successful cultivator such a good return for 
his time and labour, nor have I met any one who does 
not appreciate the charm of a house of Carnations in 
mid-winter. The flowers may be used with advantage in 
every form of floral device, and for vase and dinner-table 
decoration none is more appreciated. What could be 
more lovely than a vase lightly arranged with the varieties 
Enchantress, Beacon, or White Perfection, carrying their 
perfectly shaped flowers on long, reed-like stems, three 
or four buds overtopping the flowers, and a few shoots 
interspersed and hanging over the sides? 
Carnations always look best arranged with their own 
