The Carxatiox. ■ 153 



the crop has been cut, if bench room is needed, build a 

 temporary one over it and let it go wild until August 

 1st, withholding water from it. This gives a natural 

 period of rest. As early as September 1st, clean up, top 

 dress and start into growth, and by December it should 

 have made its growth, been, hardened off and be re.ady 

 for cutting. As a good two year old plant will make 

 from one to three strings, commanding from 50 to 75 

 cents each, it w^ill readily be seen that this is a paying 

 crop. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

 THE CARNATION. 



In the estimation of most flower lovers, this ranks 

 second only to the rose. The beautiful variegations in 

 color, its delightful fragrance, and good keeping quali- 

 ties rendering it a favorite with all, and I somewhat 

 doubt if the rose, even, is now claiming as much atten- 

 tion from growers of cut flowers as is this grand flower. 

 Improvements through hybridization during the past 

 few years have been verj' marked, and to-day buyers 

 are oftentimes at a loss to decide which of the many 

 vprieties offered, they shall replace the older ones with. 



It is a well established fact that the life of all varie- 

 ties is comparatively short. Some place the period 

 during which any one vari^y can be grown to profit, 

 as being limited to five or six years. It is certainly true 



