146 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ July, 
Picotees on the other, an arrangement tending, in the case of accidental fertilisa¬ 
tion, to keep the stock freer from injudicious crosses, for it would be a great 
mistake to cross Picotee on Carnation, or vice versa. Such is, in my opinion, 
after many years of trial, much the most effective method of display. 
Select the taller-growing varieties for the back rows, and gradually fall in 
height to the front. Then, as the guard-petals come down, put on the card. Of 
these, the best I have seen are those made by Mr. Meek, Crane Court, Fleet 
Street, London. A mode of attaching the card to the bloom by means of its 
pressure on the pod, which I have frequently known adopted, is prejudicial in the 
highest degree, and has been the destruction of numbers of fine blooms. The 
card should not touch the pod at all. The orifice in the centre should be, at 
least, five-eighths of an inch in diameter, and it should be supported as needed 
by a circle of thin paper, starred in the centre, and this, again, supported upon 
the pod by the impact of the points of the star, the paper being of so light a 
character that no distortion of the pod can arise. 
These matters may seem to some of trivial regard, but it is upon attention to 
minute observances that success is based. Then, as the cards are put on, and the 
guard or other finer petals gently guided into place, attach the bloom by means 
of an ordinary Carnation-pin and a pair of pliers to the blooming-stick ; arrange 
the bloom at such an angle as will allow its beauties to be easily and completely 
seen, and the stage thus completed will present such a sight and offer such en¬ 
joyment as will amply reward the fullest attention. Indeed, of sensuous things, 
I know of no sight better calculated to afford a pure and unalloyed delight than 
a well-graced stage' of healthy, highly-cultivated Carnations and Picotees; and in 
its presence, I am sure, will he be wise who banishes all regrets—all remembrance 
of accidents of season or situation, excepting so far as they may be open to repair 
in the future, and gives himself up to the enjoyment of the beauty so lavishly 
accorded him. 
But in the midst of enjoyment we must not forget we have work to do. Trap 
ear-wigs incessantly, and watch for and destroy every class of destructives—slugs, 
green-fly, &:c. Disbud constantly as the laterals rise. Tie all buds requiring this 
attention, and open the points of the calyx so as to permit the expansion of the petals 
equally, and thus avoid a split pod, which is always, where incurred, a slur upon the 
grower. Note carefully the characteristics of the several varieties : their habit, 
form, colour, shape of petal, and refinement, to enable you to determine their 
proper treatment for future years; and whether they are fine for exhibition, if you 
exhibit, or useful for the home stage only. Hybridisation, or fertilisation of the seed, 
should also be diligently attended to. Leave nothing to chance, but impregnate 
every fine bloom not absolutely required for exhibition. It is not possible or 
necessary to attempt to prescribe the many crosses from which successful results 
may be expected. It is, however, most needful to say that such results can be 
obtained only by combining with a healthy growth the greatest refinement, the 
broadest and stoutest petal, and the most distinct and best-defined colours. 
