354 
JOURNAL OF THE EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
at that time with all kinds of cuttings. Lawson planted at 
" Michaeltide, or somewhat before that," as he says, " they may 
be settled in and taken wdth the ground before winter." 
In the estimation of the general public, the relative position 
held by the Eose and the Carnation to each other, and to all 
other hardy plants, still remains unchanged, and Lawson's 
remarks in this respect apply with the same force to-day as they 
did when first enunciated three centuries ago. 
In speaking of the Carnation in Scotland, I shall do so, not in 
a general manner, but with particular reference to methods that 
experience has taught me are best suited to the means at my 
own command. Before, however, I enter upon a discussion of 
the more salient points of Carnation culture, I may be per- 
mitted to indicate a somewhat curious distinction resulting from 
the difference of a southern and a northern climate. It is this. 
Many varieties that in Scotland produce full and large blooms 
fail to do so when grown in the gardens of the south of England. 
Midas, Mrs. Muir, and Germania are examples of this class. 
Others, again, which are highly praised by English growers, 
when transplanted across the Tweed, yield us for the most part 
only large, straggly, and ungainly blooms ; Cantab is one such, 
and I have seen in a Scottish garden Uriah Pike in a most 
unkempt condition. With this slight difference, I imagine that 
Carnations do not vary greatly if at all in the two countries, 
while their cultural treatment as a whole is pursued on very 
much the same lines. 
Were I asked to mention what in my opinion are the cultural 
details that are of the greatest importance in determining the 
fullest measure of success, I should unhesitatingly say. Early 
layering, followed by planting the layers as soon as they are in a 
fit condition to move. There are, of course, other matters that are 
essential to securing satisfactory results, but these are compara- 
tively of secondary importance. Early layering, coupled with early 
planting, is, indeed, at the foundation of any and all success, and 
I have known planting deferred a fortnight spoil the ultimate 
success of plants which were otherwise full of promise. As an 
indication of what is meant by " early," I may say that our first 
layers were put down about July 1st and the bulk were finished 
ten days later. Planting is followed by excellent results when 
carried out in the first and second week of September, but if 
