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FLORICULTURE. 
Carnation, and very properly so, I think ; consequently, the reverse must be styled a 
Picotee. As a conclusion to my remarks on this subject, may I be permitted to observe, 
that where Picotees are grown without Carnations — and the race carried forward — their 
seed invariably produces Picotees ; but when Carnations and Picotees are grown together, 
the seed from either kinds have been found occasionally to produce both varieties ; 
therefore, botanically speaking, these are one and the same thing. Having endeavoured 
to set this matter on a correct footing, I will proceed to suggest the best method of 
growing the particular class under consideration, and supply the names of a few of the 
best now in cultivation. 
That there is some difficulty in blooming the Yellow Picotee, I will not deny ; but, 
that it can be done, is certain, and in a tolerable degree of perfection too, as is fully 
evident by the attempts made during even the last season, the most memorable perhaps 
to the lovers of Yellow Picotees that has occurred. The Dutch Florist can never manage 
this flower as it should he ; arguing from this fact, that a damp or humid atmosphere is 
prejudicial to it, I have tried them in a moderately dry situation, and found them prosper ; 
the flower evinces a decided dislike to he over saturated ; and when kept in frames 
during the winter, it should he allowed to occupy the front rows of the back part, as being 
the driest and most airy: this treatment will almost insure sound plants, when if a 
contrary system be adopted, such as placing them in rather damp situations, and over- 
watering them, if it does not positively kill them, they will become unhealthy and unsound, 
and consequently quite unable to carry their bloom. The compost I generally grow them in, 
is, tuo parts good loam, two parts horse-dung, two parts leaf-mould, one part silver sand, 
and a little gypsum finely pulverised. In all other respects I treat the same as a White 
Ground Picotee or Carnation, excepting just in blooming time, when it will be found 
needful to shade it, or the brilliant yellow, so much to be desired in this flower will 
degenerate into a creamy white, and dullish yellow. For the growth of such plants as are 
considered desirable in their marking, and brilliant in their ground colour, I use two 
barrows of light loam, one ditto of leaf-mould, one ditto of old dung from a cucumber or 
melon-frame, one-half ditto old cow-dung, one-quarter ditto of river sand ; hut the former 
will be found best suitable, I think, to the general stock, the more especially if it 
comprises seedlings. 
I always endeavour that my Yellow Picotees shall feel the sun’s influence, though I 
prevent his rays from reaching them too suddenly ; it does not answer to deprive them of a 
plentiful supply of air : I take any pot plant and place it in a situation in the grounds, 
where a free current of air can play about it (taking care that it is not too rough a day), 
and there let the sun shine over it, but not on it, shading by means of white calico caps, 
surmounted by a large green leaf of any kind, keeping up a very moderat e supply of water ; 
a flower bloomed in this way will give its owner a very fair opportunity of judging of its 
value. I propose this treatment for any individual seedling that may appear deserving of 
the trouble, when, if upon trial, it is found deserving of continual care, then it could be 
placed to the general collection and subject to the same course of treatment ; an airy well- 
ventilated greenhouse answers very well to grow these plants in, but the mischief that too 
frequently occurs from adopting this method of protection is, that amateurs, in their over 
care, exclude the air that should be boldly admitted, and their plants die off. A few of the 
best varieties are as follows. I do not pledge myself to the value of the whole number as 
exhibitional flowers, but they are the best I know of, and until better can be found, I think 
myself fully justified in laying them before the readers of this magazine ; the value I attach 
to them may be inferred from the manner in which they appear, the best proportioned 
taking precedence of the others. I must not neglect to observe that even the very best of 
this class are greatly inferior in point of property to the White ground Picotee or Carnation, 
hut there exists good reason for supposing that they will ere long rival these deservedly 
popular favourites; I therefore respectfully intreat amateur florists to give them their 
countenance and support, when their ultimate perfection is certain : — Borand’s Euphemia, 
Hoyle’s Topaz, Willmer’s Queen of Yellows, Mount Etna, May's Malay Chief, Countess of 
Ashburnham, Duchess of Normandy, George IV., Gipsy Queen, Merope, May’s Parsee 
Bride, Martin’s Queen Victoria, Brock’s Queen, Remus, Romulus. 
