CATALOGUE OF CARNATIONS AND P1COTEES. 2T7 



tive catalogue, and, perhaps, some may say why not leave it to others. 

 In reply to such observations, I can only say that I very reluctantly 

 enter upon my present task ; and had I not been repeatedly and ur- 

 gently requested, I should not have sacrificed my feelings and time in 

 so onerous a task. My time is already too much occupied without 

 imposing additional burthens, yet I cannot refuse making the sacri- 

 fice to benefit many friends, to whom, as a florist, I am indebted, from 

 their patronage and support, for the position which I now hold in 

 their estimation ; and it is the only way I can evince my gratitude to 

 them . 



In attempting a descriptive catalogue, it is essential that the pro- 

 perties of a Carnation should be defined. The stem of a fine Carna- 

 tion should be strong, tail, and straight, and about 30 inches high. 

 The flower also should be at least three inches in diameter, consisting 

 of a great number of large, well-formed petals, but neither so many 

 as to give it a full and crowded appearance, nor so few as to make it 

 appear too thin and empty. 



The petals should be long, broad, and substantial, particularly 

 those of the outer circle, commonly called the guard-leaves ; these 

 should rise perpendicularly about an inch above the calyx, and 

 then turn gracefully in an horizontal direction supporting the interior 

 petals, and forming altogether a convex, and nearly an hemispherical, 

 corolla. The interior petals should rather decrease in size as they 

 approach the centre of the flower, which should be well filled with 

 them. The petals should be regularly disposed alike on every side, 

 imbricating each other in such a manner as that both their respective 

 and united beauties may captivate the eye at the same instant. They 

 should be nearly flat ; however, a small degree of concavity or inflec- 

 tion at the lamina? or broad end is allowable, but their edges should 

 be perfectly entire, that is to say, free from notch, fringe, or indenture. 

 The calyx should be at least one inch in length, and not, as some, 

 nearly the shape of a marble, which require the greatest care in trying 

 to prevent the calyx from bursting, and which, notwithstanding the 

 care, seldom prevents it from doing so. It should also terminate in 

 broad points, sufficiently strong to hold the narrow basis of the petals 

 in a close and circular body. 



Of whatever colours the flower may be possessed, they should be 

 perfectly distinct, and disposed in long regular stripes, broadest at 



