IN TEXAS AND THE SOUTH 127 



diversified in this respect than one who was not well ac- 

 quainted with it would beheve. It is not necessarily the 

 nearness to the tropical zone that regulates a tropical 

 climate, for the altitude above the sea level, or other 

 immediate local conditions, have a far reaching effect. 



As far south as the city of Mexico flowers of all 

 descriptions usually cultivated in the Northern States are 

 to be seen and Carnations among them are grown to 

 splendid advantage. Yet within a distance of one hundred 

 miles, when you have come down from the plateau of the 

 city, which is at an altitude of 7000 feet, you are at once 

 among the Coffee plantations of the tropics. It may be 

 well, therefore, not to consider latitude too much in regard 

 to estimates of climate. It would be infinitely better to 

 ask the question: " Can the Carnation be profitably grown 

 in this or that locality? " and not, " Can it be grown for 

 profit in the South? " 



If a line were drawn longitudinally through the Southern 

 States from Dallas, Texas, to Montgomery, Alabama, 

 it could be said that in the territory north of this line, 

 Carnations are being grown quite successfully by profes- 

 sional growers with unquestionable profit and satisfaction. 

 But generally speaking, south of this line their success is 

 not so well assured. 



A grower of much prominence in south Texas, who 

 had been a close observer of the Carnation and the advisa- 

 bility of growing it commercially, is strongly of the opinion 

 that on the whole it is a proposition yet to be worked out 

 here. This crop has not had a really first class test. It is 

 clear that the specialist is, by virtue of concentration, the 

 man who will achieve success. It is believed that with a 

 capital of several thousand dollars an equipment may be 

 large and thorough enough in every detail to grow Carna- 



