Foreword .... 
All of us have heard it stated from time to time that altogether too many 
new varieties of carnations are being introduced and that the industry 
would be benefitted if fewer new varieties reached the market. While we 
must admit that many new carnations are disseminated which do not 
amount to much and perhaps should not have been introduced, we cannot 
stress too strongly the constant need of new varieties. 
Even if today’s introductions are no great improvement upon yesterday’s 
fine carnations, they are still essential. The reason for this is obvious. 
Vegetative reproduction is necessary. Carnations cannot be grown true 
to variety from seed. After propagating by means of cuttings for a num¬ 
ber of years, a variety deteriorates. No variety propagated in th is manner 
has ever been introduced, or probably ever will be introduced, which 
could tolerate this method of propagation beyond a limited number of 
years. Some varieties last five years, some ten, but sooner or later all 
must be replaced. Therefore, new varieties must be disseminated year 
after year, even although they do no more than maintain the present 
standard. 
An example of this need is illustrated by our lack of a good deep pink 
carnation today. There is no outstanding variety of this color available; 
no carnation in this color class which does not have more or less serious 
faults. The older varieties are beginning to deteriorate, and the newer 
varieties in this shade do not quite fill the bill. Even although it should 
not prove superior to good deep pink carnations of the past, a new carna¬ 
tion of this color is needed to perpetuate the shade. In a year or two 
it may be a red that will be needed, and then a white, and so on. The 
flow of new varieties must be continuous or the carnation industry will 
suffer. 
Nor can we afford to ignore the novelty shades that are being introduced. 
These carnations are opening up new outlets for the Divine Flower, mak¬ 
ing it possible for the carnation to meet the competition offered by other 
flowers and to forge ahead in popularity. 
And so the shrewd grower will plan to spend a certain amount each year 
for new varieties. This is good business. The older varieties which are 
not doing any too well this year probably won’t do as well next year. 
Plans must be made m advance. Now is the time to consider next year’s 
planting. It may not be advisable to buy heavily of the new offerings, 
but they certainly should be given a trial. A moderate annual invest¬ 
ment in new varieties will pay big dividends in the long run. The Sim 
Carnation Co., Inc., offers you, on the following pages, the best of the 
newer varieties, together with a selected list of the outstanding standard 
carnations. 
There is no substitute for quality 
