GROWING CARNATIONS UNDER GLASS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7, 14 August 1912, Page 40

GROWING CARNATIONS UNDER GLASS.

The time* is not far distant when carnations will be grown under ;dass in this Dominion for the supply of cut blooms during the wunter months. Tn the North Island we get frosts in May to perish most of our outside blooms — some few favoured localities excepted. The latter part of May and the w’hole of June are probably the times when our supply is at the minimum, and should our population continue to grow as it has done during the past decade, growers of Howers will have to cast about for some means of supplying the demand, and glass houses will become an indispensable adjunct to market growers. It is, of course, well known that many kinds of plants lend themselves exceedingly well to forcing. Roses, lilies, dentzias, and many others, can all be utilised to advantage. We consider car-

nations will perhaps take the lead, and sweet peas may follow, but the 'American, or perpetual, carnation has many advantages. It is very easily

propagated, and in England, where these varieties used to be despised and looked upon as ‘’abortions,” they now have a firm hold on public favour, nor

can this be surprising when we consider how admirably these iloders are adapted for almost every kind of decoration work—the fine long, sturdy stems they throw tip. their delicate perfume, and

their splendid lasting qualities. They find a ready sale on the Covent Gnrd-n markets, and there can be little doubt they would do the same here.

Some of our very finest carnations very rarely produce an exhibition bloom in the open, unless they are prartically “housed,” and most of the American varieties are only suited for inside work. This, at all events, has been our experience with them, whilst the majority of American type raised in England have proved worthless in the open here. The perpetual carnation has come to stay, and it is useless shutting our eyes to the fact. We have it on what we regard as good authority that in a very few years' time the Perpetual Carnation Society of England will oust the other society, unless the two find some common ground, and amalgamate. Our present need, however, is some plant which wilt supply us with bloom when outside flowers are over, and we think that growers would be well advised in turning their attention to the growing of carnations under glass to meet this want.