OCTOBER. 235 



* The definition of a good flower, in my humble opinion, is as fol- 

 lows : 



1. It is indispensably necessary that the petals be oi thick sub- 

 stance, the edges perfectly smooth and even. 



2. The florets occupying the centre must be compact, closely 

 arranged, rising in the middle so as to make a half globular form, 

 with a stiff guard-leaf extending about half an inch, or rather more, 

 from the centre florets. 



3. The arrangement of the flowers on the stem or spike ought 

 not to be too thick or too thin. I consider most of the following 

 six varieties perfect flowers ; and as regards their general habits, 

 excelled by none that I have ever seen : Walden Gem, Enchantress, 

 and Pulchella (Chater's) ; Model of Perfection, Queen, and Rosea 

 grandiflora (Baron's).' 



The following is Mr. Chater's li.-^t of the next best that he has 

 seen, arran2;ed accordins; to colour : — 



Magnum Bonum (Baron's), dark. 

 Purpurea elegans, neiv (Chater's), 



purple. 

 Rosea alba, new (Chater's), mixed 



colours. 

 Bicolor (Chater's), mixed colours. 

 Sulphurea perfecta (River's), yellow. 

 White Perfection (Chater's), white. 



Obscura (Chater's), mottled. 



Attraction (Baron's), mottled. 



Mr. C. Baron (Chater's), salmon and 



pinkish salmon. 

 Aurantia (River's), salmon and pinkish 



salmon. 

 Comet (Chater's), red. 

 Fireball (Bircham's), red. 

 Coccinea (Baron's), red. 



The next definition is from Mr. Parsons of Ponder' s- end, one of 

 the oldest and most successful amateur cultivators of this flower. 



1st. Shape: this should be something less than half a ball. 

 The flowers should be free from pockets, the anthers not seen. The 

 petals should be free from indentation or notch. 



2d. Size : the ball should be from 1^ to 2^ inches high, accord- 

 ing to its diameter : the greater the diameter the greater should 

 be the height. The diameter of the ball should never be less than '2\ 

 inches. The guard-petals should extend from f th to |th of an inch 

 beyond the ball : the larger the ball the broader should be the guard- 

 petal. What we aim at is proportion. The different parts of the 

 flower should bear such relation to each other that the whole may be 

 uniform, and in nothing offend. 



2d. Substance : the petals should be thick and smooth. 

 4th. Spike : this should never exceed seven feet. The longer 

 the footstalks, in moderation, the better, as the bulk of the spike is 

 in proportion to their length, and the greater the bulk the finer the 

 object. 



The following are twelve of the best flowers I have seen : — 

 Comet. Rosea alba, neic. 



Enchantress. Rosea grandiflora. 



Magnum Bonum. Rosy Queen. 



Mr. C. Baron. Suli)hurea perfecta. 



Obscura. Walden Gem. 



Queen (Baron's). Watford Surprise. 



In analysing and comparing the foregoing definitions, we find 

 those of Mr. Chater and Mr. Parsons so nearly agreeing as scarcely 



