THE carnation is often thought to be a difficult plant to grow in the window garden. I think that the following suggestions will aid those who wish to grow this most handsome flower.

The variety chosen is of great importance. Plants of compact growth, and generally of dwarf habit, are much the best. We would mention the following varieties as being eminently suitable for pot culture ; Sunrise, variegated yellow and red ; Portia, scarlet; Buttercup, yellow, striped with scarlet; The Century, carmine ; Tidal Wave, light carmine ; Seawan, crimson ; Orient, crimson ; L. L. Lamborn, white. There are many others, but these all make handsome plants and embrace the important colors. Of course the more rampant growers like Grace Wilder, Edwardsii, Phila. Red, Crimson King, Chester Pride, etc , may be grown in pots, but they never make such fine looking specimens. The largest and finest clumps alone should be selected for potting.

The requirements of the plants are simple enough - not too wet feet, a moist atmosphere, cool temperature, and plenty of light. But to combine these essentials in a living room is another matter, and calls for the utmost skill on the part of the cultivator. Give them, then, the sunniest window, and set them close to the glass. Water carefully and only when dry ; do not over-water. Let them occupy the coolest window in the room, not forgetting the admonition as to light. A moist green-house atmosphere in a living apartment is an impossibility, and this no doubt is generally the cause of failure. Many plants will thrive fairly well in dry air - the carnation, we may say, never. Disease, insects, fungoid growths, death, follow in their natural sequence. It is an essential matter then to have large, robust, healthy plants, well along in bud. Such plants are more likely to withstand the unusual conditions to which they are about to be subjected. Frequent sprinklings of the foliage will counteract the dryness of the air in a great measure: and brushing the leaves, keeping them as free from dust as possible, conduces to the health of the plant.

The green-fly, or aphis, and the red spider are the great enemies of the carnation, but these are nearly always brought on by improper conditions and an unhealthy growth. A strong tea made from tobacco stems will destroy the aphis. The red spider is not so easily disposed of, but a weak solution of sulphide of potassium will kill it if persistently applied.

Penna. W. K. Shelmire.