194 
THE FLORISTS JOURNAL. 
Britain, these plants preserve their artificial character much 
better; and this seems to be in great part owing to the superior 
dryness of the summer. From this it should follow that, even 
though the artificial compost and treatment are the same, Carna¬ 
tions will succeed better where the air is dry than where it is 
comparatively humid, though this may not be observed in districts 
which are near to each other, how much soever these may differ 
in their general soil and in their atmosphere. 
As is the case in all highly-bred and very double flowers, the 
power of perfecting seeds is very much diminished in the Carna¬ 
tion—more so than in most other flowers ; and the consequence 
is, that the skill and attention of the florist are rewarded with 
very few choice varieties grown from seeds, as compared with 
most plants upon which he exercises this very ingenious and most 
interesting branch of his art. In every ease, the multiplication 
of the petals diminishes the fertility of the flower ; for the growth 
of petals is something intermediate between the growth of stems 
and leaves and that of the part of fructification. If, therefore, a 
florist wishes to obtain good Carnation seed, he must carefully 
find out the medium between stunting his plants by too poor 
treatment, and stimulating them so highly, that the tendency is 
more to the production of stems and leaves than to that of 
flowers, and especially of perfect seeds. No general rule can be 
laid down for the compost best suited for this medium state ; 
because in proportion as the atmosphere to which they are 
exposed is more dry, the plants require a richer soil and more 
artificial watering, whereas in humid atmospheres they require 
more exposure, especially to dry and gentle winds. 
Obtaining seed of Carnations in this country is, as we have 
said, very difficult, and in the case of yellow Picottees next to 
impossible ; and even when perfect seeds are obtained, good new 
varieties are so rare, that the obtaining of a single one from a 
considerable sowing is a matter of lottery. But, as a choice new 
plant is prized in proportion to the difficulty of obtaining it, and 
as cross impregnation is the only means of doing this, it must be 
resorted to notwithstanding its difficulty and the small chance of 
success. 
In all cases, whether of cross or of natural impregnation, the 
number and vigour of the seeds depend more on the maturing of 
the pollen than on the preparation of the stigma for its reception. 
