ON NOTABLE RACES OF PLANTS 63 



Tree and Winter Flowering Carnations 



The popular name *' tree " refers to the freely branching 

 flower stems. In February propagate by cuttings 4 

 inches or so long, and insert round the side of pots filled 

 with sandy soil. Place in a close propagating case ; 

 when rooted transfer to 3-inch pots, using four parts 

 loam to one of leaf mould, with some coarse sand and a 

 little wood ash, and harden off, for the plants do best in 

 a cool greenhouse once they are well struck. In June 

 plunge the pots in the open ground after potting them 

 into 5-inch pots, and pinching the top of the shoots, which 

 may be their flowering ones, or if well filled with roots 

 they may be again repotted into 7-inch pots. During 

 the summer, several alternate sprinklings of bone manure 

 and salt are good. In September remove the pots from 

 the ground into a cool greenhouse. A temperature of 

 from 50 to 55 degrees is suitable. Stake the shoots 

 carefully, and if very fine flowers are wished, disbud. 

 These and all other carnations dislike to be crowded, or 

 shaded by other plants ; they require plenty of ventilation, 

 and all the sun possible that can come through clean 

 glass. On dull days, with muggy weather, it is 

 better to have heat on and ventilation also, rather 

 than close the house and keep the air at a standstill. 

 Greenfly must be immediately destroyed by mild fumi- 

 gations. 



Winter Scarlet, Winter Cheer, Yuletide, all 

 scarlet ; Miss Jolifle, pale pink ; Uriah Pike, clove- 

 scented, crimson ; Niphetos, white, scented ; Duchess 

 Consuelo, yellow ; Mrs Leopold de Rothschild, salmon 

 pink ; and Mrs T. W. Lawson, rosy pink, are good. 



The marguerite carnations are charming for their laced, 

 less formal flowers. Sow seed, instead of setting 

 cuttings, and treat afterwards as above. They require a 

 similar temperature in winter. Tree carnations may 



