AUGUST. 171 



tolerated until we have a sufficient number of a new and better style. 

 On the other hand, the northern growers begin to appreciate a few 

 more petals in their flowers than formerly ; the result of which is, that 

 there is now only an imaginary difference in the taste of the southern 

 and northern growers. 



We must particularise, however, by describing some of the best 

 kinds for the benefit of those who have not seen them. The finest 

 variety that has come under our notice was raised by Dr. Maclean, 

 of Colchester, and is named Great Criterion. This has a petal as 

 large as a Picotee, beautifully laced with rosy purple, with just a suf- 

 ficient number of petals, and no more. It is of full size. Maclean's 

 New Criterion, Adonis, and Venus, are also of good quality, and very 

 promising. 



The Oxford growers have been doing their duty by the Pink. 

 From three growers we have received some very good flowers. Looker's 

 John Stevens is the finest dark purple we have seen. It took the 

 first prize from amongst a large number of seedlings at the Oxford 

 Pink show, beating some very fine flowers. Juliet, by the same 

 raiser, is a heavily-laced purple, yet having plenty of white on each 

 petal, and very smooth ; and Earl of Derby is full, without being 

 confused ; and there are several others not yet named. Mr. Colcutt, 

 also of Oxford, has several that will make fine flowers; but being 

 under number, we cannot particularise them. No. 5 we thought the 

 best. 



In the collections shewn by Mr. Bragg of Slough we noticed some 

 varieties possessing first-rate quality, the best of which we consider 

 to be James Hogg, Hercules, Purple Perfection, Mrs. Bragg, Lord 

 Charles Wellesley, Koh-i-noor, Hector, President, Ruby, and Sir J. 

 Paxton. Norman's Colchester Cardinal has been shewn in consider- 

 able numbers, confirming its quality and fine lacing, yet it is rather 

 thin. Mr. Read, of Silsoe, Beds, has sent out some very useful 

 flowers. Ada, a soft rosy purple, we particularly noticed (its only 

 fault being a little undersized), and Bertha, also purple, with good 

 quality. Among our own, the best is Beauty of Salt Hill, a flower of 

 fine substance, and very smooth. Perfection, Esther, Phoenix, Sarah, 

 King of Hanover, Harry, Constance, Purity, and Arthur have all been 

 shewn in fine condition this season. Edwards's Titus, a large flower, 

 is very showy, but reflexes too much. 



The old varieties that have been seen good and maintain their 

 position are Sappho, Lola Montes, Criterion, Whipper-in, Mrs. Ma- 

 clean, Regulator, Kate, Lord Valentia, and Optima. The season was 

 too late to make any display at Chiswick ; yet the blooms were finely 

 grown, and we never remember to have seen them better laced, 

 shewing that a late spring is favourable to a good bloom of Pinks. 



