CARNATION, one of the finest of florists' flowers, a double-flowering variety of the clove pink (dianthus caryophyllus, see PINK), and existing only in a state of cultivation. It has long been a universal favorite, both on account of its beauty and fragrance, although it does not appear to have been known to the ancients. The stem is about 3 ft. high, and generally receives support. There are varieties, called tree carnations, with much taller stems, but they are not amongst the varieties esteemed by florists. The flowers are often three inches or more in diameter. Scarlet, purple, and pink are the prevailing colors; but whatever are the colors of a C., it is of no value, in the eyes of a florist, unless they are perfectly distinct. Fullness and perfect regularity are also deemed essential. The varieties are extremely numerous: those which have only two colors, disposed in large stripes through the petals, are called flake carnations; those which have three shades of color, also in stripes, bizarre carnations; and those which have the flowers spotted with different colors, and the petals serrated or fringed, receive the name of picotees. Great attention is at present pail in Britain to the cultivation of the C., and
very fine specmens are often to be seen in the gardens of eottagers, especially about towns and villages. The soil for carnations must be rich, rather open, and the manure well rotted and intimately mixed. The finest kinds are generally grown in pots, and reeive protection from cold winds and heavy rains, although free access of air is indis pensable. Carnations are propagated in summer either by layers or by pipings, which are short cuttings of shoots that have not yet flowered, each having two joints. The young plants are transferred in spring to the bed in which they are to flower.