REMARKS ON AN ARTICLE BY A MIDLAND FLORIST. 15 



It does possess some, but the main one in a scarlet bizarre is wanting. 

 Who, in common sense, would call a Carnation a bizarre with only 

 two colours ? Even the great Leviathan of the south asserts that there 

 should be a stripe of bizarre in every petal; this surely is high autho- 

 rity. It is the general fault of the southern bizarre Carnations that 

 they are deficient in this respect, but as to the other properties, good. 

 But if two colours are essential in a bizarre, can one deficient in this 

 respect be good? — as well might it be said that a man, well-propor- 

 tioned in every respect, but only having one leg, was a perfect model 

 of beauty. 



In my descriptive catalogue of Carnations I avoided all mention of 

 Don John, as it had attracted so much attention, to see the issue of 

 another year ; but from the assertions made, I feel no hesitation in say- 

 ing that it will prove a decided failure. I am not alone in this opinion, 

 as upwards of seven pairs were bloomed within a short distance of my 

 residence, and I walked some miles purposely to see it, and the whole 

 of the individuals who pvirchased the plants referred to declare it 

 would not do at all, and complained bitterly of the manner it had 

 been puffed off; and I can say further, that every grower in the 

 neighbourhood who has seen it (and we have not a few, I question 

 whether any locality can boast so many, and who possess such a 

 complete knowledge of the properties essential to a good flower) have 

 unanimously expressed themselves to the same effect. I have further 

 still the authority of two first-rate judges, one in the midland district, 

 and the other farther south, who coincide with what is stated above. 

 As a proof of this assertion, not even a single layer has been bought 

 in this neighbourhood by any of them ; what has been sold has been 

 sent to distant places. 



The Midland Florist may say, Oh ! but you are not competent to 

 judge Carnations in the north, you are a century behind us. Perhaps 

 we are, as respects puffing things not worthy a name. But how sel- 

 dom does it happen that Carnations, as well as other florists' flowers 

 (excepting Pinks) sent out by them, will not maintain their rank and 

 character when exhibited in the south? Need I mention Chadwick's 

 Brilliant S. F., Mansley's Beauty of Woodhouse P. F., and Manley's 

 Robert Bums P. B., taking the first prizes at the London exhibition 

 the last season ? Can the same be said of the varieties sent out by 

 the southern or midland florist ? Where were some of the best now in 



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