THE CARNATION MANUAL. 75 



the " class flowers," or the no less attractive self 

 and fancy kinds. 



The prime object sought by our mode of ex- 

 hibiting is a strict comparison, by which the 

 individual merits of the flowers can be thoroughly 

 tested, and this, experience has sho^vn, can be done 

 in no surer way than by the existing system. Even 

 the white paper collar which comes in for so much 

 objurgation has its practical value in isolating each 

 bloom and so aiding the judges in their decision on 

 the merits of each flower as it passes under review, 

 while estimating, as they have to do, those of the 

 collection as a whole. 



An exhibition of highly-developed flowers, such 

 as Carnations or other florist flowers, like one of 

 highly-bred animals, must be a presentment of the 

 best types. The horses, say, may be made picturesque 

 with trappings and caparisons and gaily-attired 

 riders, but these are not the conditions which 

 painter or sculptor would primarily select for the 

 proper judgment or study of the animals, whatever 

 the Avay in which he might eventually represent 

 them. So with our flowers when set up in com- 

 petition. No doubt the perfect — the ideal — exhibi- 

 tion would be one that dealt adequately with the 

 flowers in all their aspects, and with all their 

 possibilities ; but for such an one, for the present, in 

 connection with our Carnations, at least, we must 

 be content to wait. 



