SPRING BULBS AND AUTUMN FLOWERS. 69 
when the petals first show, tie a thread, or, better, slip an 
India-rubber band round the top of the calyx, then with 
a sharp knife cut slightly the notches between its divisions. 
The edge of this notch is hard, and it is the difficulty of 
breaking it regularly that causes the flower to split one 
side. If cut a little, there will be no trouble.” 
The pure white carnations are very pretty and sweet- 
scented, being very popular for winter bouquets. There 
are also bright pink, carmine, and striped ones, which, like 
all the pink family, have a strong spicy odor. 
Other varieties of the pink, especially the picotee, are 
much cultivated for their constant bloom and bright, 
showy flowers. 
Among herbaceous plants, those whose roots survive the 
winter, and do not require fresh planting in the spring, the 
Drummond’s Phlox. 
phlox Drummondii , with its blossoms like large verbenas, is 
one of the most pleasing and lasting. It can be raised in 
almost any soil, but thrives best in good loam, and enjoys 
