The carnation, so greatly admired by all when cultivated in the greenhouse, may also be successfully grown out of doors during the summer. The best way to grow these plants is to obtain small thrifty plants, or well-rooted cuttings, and set them out the first of May, or earlier if the ground is dry, planting them about a foot apart. Do not disturb the earth around the roots when transplanting, as it would set them back very much. Carnations require a cool temperature, and the young plants will stand quite a severe frost without serious injury, but they do not like too much moisture. If the ground is too wet they will almost surely fail to grow satisfactorily, if they do not die outright, so be sure to give them as dry a location as possible. The carnation should also have a rich, porous soil.

After the plant begins to show good thrifty growth, it is well to pinch the tops back, as this will induce a more bushy growth, and in time, more flowers.

If a few plants are desired for winter bloom, keep pinching back during the summer, until the middle or last of August, and do not let the plants blossom at all, until safely housed.