28 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
solar influence, and, as a natural consequence, its absence is 
necessary to induce a state of rest; hence the object and reason 
of shading in long summer days. It is well known to gardeners 
that plants never grow so fast or so well as in the spring quarter 
of the year; this is not entirely owing to the weather being more 
propitious, for it is frequently more severe at that time than any 
other, but because at that season the plants have a pretty equal 
proportion of excitement and rest, or, in other words, the day 
and night are then nearly equal; and to continue this equality 
should be the aim of every cultivator, especially with tropical 
plants. In many cases shading is resorted to during the intense 
heat of the day, and as soon as it is over the shade is removed, 
and most likely the house closed for the night. It would be far 
better to allow the plants to receive the full influence of the sun 
till noon, or a little after, and then shade closely, continuing it 
on till night, and at the same time allowing the temperature of 
the house to fall several degrees. For, as in a state of nature 
the absence of solar influence is the first essential, so the at¬ 
tendant consequence is a diminution of the temperature of the 
atmosphere, and both are requisite to produce the refreshing and 
proper repose of plants. 
Editor. 
MODE OF PROPAGATING THE CARNATION. 
Sir, —I have been a reader of your elegant and useful 
periodical from its commencement; and it is with sincere 
pleasure and satisfaction to myself (as I hope it will be to you 
also) I mention that I have derived much useful practical know¬ 
ledge from the perusal of its pages. 
I am not vain enough to imagine that this my humble mite 
will be any considerable addition to its fund of information. 
Yet as the “ authority of experience” leads me to differ in 
opinion and practice from Philo-Caryopiiyllus in cultivating 
the Carnation, let me, in a few words, relate what I have found 
to be, beyond comparison, the quickest, easiest, and most suc¬ 
cessful mode of propagating the Carnation. 
