CARNATION (Fr., Lat. corautio, from corn, .\ double•lheal.ring variety of the clove pink (Dianthus, •orpophy(lus) and one of the most popular flowers of that family. it is a native of the south of Europe, and has been in cultivation for more than 200n year-. it is a semi hardy perennial (generally cultivated as an an imal in America) 2 to feet high, with a branching stem, opposite linear leaves. terminal and blossoming in England from dune to August. The clove-like fragrancy of the flowers gave to the pla»t its specific name ea•yophyllus elove-t•ee. coryophynas oromati cat ). Many VD various form- and colors, are in cultivation. Red. white, pink. and yellow varieties predominate. The monthly. tree. or pe•petnal-tlowering earnations are the varie ties HOW extensively grown under glas- in the United States for winter eat flowers.. These are propagated from elating, taken from Decem ber to May, rooted in sand, transplanted to plats or pots, and kept in a cool house until danger from heavy frost is past, when they are set in the field.
Sandy loam soil heavily fertilized is preferred. The plants are set in rows 12 inches apart and 10 inches distant in the TOW when cultivated by hand, and in 3-foot rows when worked with a horse. If winter flowers are wanted, the rising shoots of the plants are regularly pruned back to 2 to 4 inches during the summer. In Sep tember the plants are lifted and transplanted to the foreing-honse ',oldies. The soil here is 4 to 5 inches deep, and consists usually of thr•e fourths loam and one-fourth well-totted manure. The plants are set 8 to 12 inches apart each way, heavily fertilized, and watered frequently with liquid manure. The temperature of the earnation-house during the winter is maintained at 60° to 115° in the daytime and ten degrees lower at night. Instead of setting in benches,
the plants are sometimes set. in pots. and may either be forced at once or set in cold frames and carried over for spring flowering. SiIlle 500 va rieties of all of American origin, are now in cultivation in the United States. See FLORICULTURE.
Carnation Discuses.—Carnations are liable to a number of diseases, the more common and troublesome being anthracnose, rust, blight or spot, and a disease caused by the punctures of minute insects. The anthraenose which is caused by the fungus is widespread. and causes grayish-brown spots on the leaves. Later the stems are invaded by the parasite. and the supply of nourishment for the plant cut off. Diseased cuttings will spread the infection, hence all such should he rejected. The rust is caused by Uromgees caryophyllinus. and may he recognized by the blisters on the leaves. Later the blisters are ruptured and the reddish-brown spores escape. A diseased plant cannot be cured, and should be dug out and destroyed. The spot, or blight, is due to the fungus Scptoriu dianthi. It may be recognized by the light-brown spots, which later bear black dots near their centre. The stems also are attacked and the plant is tillable to perform its proper functions. All of these diseases may he prevented by the thorough use of Bordeaux mixture, copper carbonate so lution. or other fungicide (q.v.). The disease caused by insect punctures may be recognized by the pellucid spots in the leaves. The name sti:mionose has been lately given it. Anything keeping thrips (q.v.). etc.. in check will prevent the disease. Great variation in liability to all the diseases is noticed in different varieties.