1 
il. dki)r\ell ^ Qiiide. 
CMNM'IONS. 
THE BEST VARIETIES IN CULTIVATION. 
Yes, lovely Carnations ! No matter who, all like this flower ; yet how selilom we see them 
in gardens ! If once planted in ordinary ground they will grow. Cut out the flower-spike in 
August, cut a slit half-war through the wood of the side shoots, two inches under the lowest leaf 
bearing the cut, dividing and replanting in good well-dug ground any time before Christmas, and 
another year's flue bloom is almost a certainty. For exhibition, they have to be planted in 
8 or 9-inch pots and placed under glass when in flower. Their almost only enemy is wireworm, 
which must be destroyed.- Good varieties, (5s. and 9.s. per dozen and upwards, our selection. 
We have nnuch pleasure in submitting to our esteemed patrons a few cultural 
notes from an eminent and most successful Carnation Specialist. They will be 
found concise and to the point. The same also applies to the cultivation of the 
Piootee. 
CULTIVATION OF THE CARNATION. 
1. Time/or Plaiitimj. — fl'Tom the middle of September until the end of October. In the 
spring, whenever the weather is favourable. When Carnations are planted too early in the open 
grounds they sometimes suffer from the effects of drying winds. 
2. Preparation of the Ground. — Thi.s should be done iu September, or sooner, by treiichiug it 
to the deptli of 1C or 18 inches, and work somo decayed man tire in during the process. A good 
medium clay loam is best, and one rather inclined to be heavy than light ; but I have grown 
Carnations admirably on light sandy soil — but iu this case some clayey loam mixed with leaf-mould 
and decayed manure was placed round the roots 
3. Planlhuj. — This should be done its soon as the plants ai’e received. The ground lutving 
been previously prepared. Carry the box containing the plants to tbe bed, aud plaut them out as 
they are removed from the moss and papers. The plants should be si.x inches from fhe ®^g® *tf the 
bed and 15 inches asunder in the rows. Plant to the first pair of leaves ; the roots should ue well 
into the grouud, and some fine soil worked in amongst them, pressing it in with the fingers. Attea- 
planting mulch the surface of the soil amongst the plants with decayed manure ; this an-ests 
evaporation from the soil, and acts as a protective agent in winter. 
4. Treatment after Plantimj. — The plants, if well put into the grouud, do not usually rcijuire 
any support ; but slender, tall plants may require a slight stick to hold them upright. Auy plants 
that may become loosened, or even t mown out of the ground by alterna'.e froSt.s and thaws during 
wintrr, must be pressed in with fingers when the soil is soft. 
•8. Pot Cxthure.— AW the successful exhibitors of Carnations grow a considerable number of 
plants in flower pots. Tbe lay era ate jiotted up in the autamii hi small flower pots, large end small 
sixties, two iu the larger size and one iu the smaller. The potting soil ought not to he too heavy ; a 
good compost is formed of four parts loam, one of leaf-mould, and one of decayed manure, with 
sand to keep the material in porous condition. After potting them, place iu a garden fraiue, kept 
rather close for a few days, and if they are potted up early it may be necessary to shade trom 
bright sunshine. 
Tub Cabnaiion Manual coiitains nmeh useful and practical information for Amatuurs. 
Copies can he supplied at 3s. Gd.,free hy past. 
NEW MALMAISON CARNATIONS. 
T.ATiv GBIMSTON — Largo heaiitifully 
foimed flowers; pinkish-white, handsomely 
marked bright rose ; sweet scented. 3s. Gd. 
each. 
PRIME MINISTER— Bright scarlet; flue 
broad petals: the finest scarlet Maliimisou; 
sweet scented, "is. Gd. each. 
TRUMPETER -Dark crimson ; of handsome 
shape and fine quality; largo; sweet scented; 
robust. 3s. 6f/. eacli. 
( 27 ') 
1 
