THE GARDEN IN JULY 



A FLOWER with a history, with a name long honoured, 

 full of that blue blood which a genealogical tree is 

 supposed to imply, the Carnation needs no apology or 

 recommendation. It was among the most admired of 

 the flowers used by the Greeks and Romans in the 

 making of chaplets, and hence derived its name of 

 Coronation by which Spenser and other early writers 

 knew it. Its generic name, Dianthus, or Flower of 

 Jupiter, equally points to the high honour in which it 

 was held by the Latins. It was formerly much used 

 both medicinally, "wonderfully above measure com- 

 forting the heart," and for the flavouring of liquors — 

 whence it obtained its name of Sops-in-wine : — 



" And many a Clove Gilofre, 

 To put in ale, 

 Whether it be moist or stale." 



The beautiful form of the flowers of the various species 

 of Dianthus — Pinks, Carnations and Sweet Williams — 

 partly accounts for its distinguished position, but the 

 characteristic fragrance has been even more contributory 

 to its reputation. The old name of July-flower, gilli- 

 flower, or gylofre was but a corruption of caryophyllus 

 — the nut-leaved clove tree — which name it earned by its 

 delicious spicy scent. Much more regard was paid to 

 fragrance by the old gardeners and flower-lovers than 

 seems to be the case to-day, and it is very much to be re- 

 gretted that many of the most beautiful of the newer 

 varieties of carnation are nearly scentless, or as nearly 



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