ON THE PINK. 2*77 



It is generally understood that the northern florists do not accede 

 to this standard, as they consider all pinks not thoroughly laced to 

 the edge of each petal useless, and such are invariably discarded from 

 their shows, as possessing a fatal defect, termed " feather edged." 



I must candidly admit, that several of the northern varieties have 

 pre-eminence in shape of petal, and regularity and boldness of lacing, 

 over the southern ones. I saw several blooms the last season, and 

 their superiority in this respect was evident ; the petals being large, 

 fine and well shaped, with edges free from notch or serrature, and 

 regularly laced, and had besides beautiful centres or eyes. As a com- 

 parison to the above, " Wakeling's Florist's and Amateur's Guide," 

 gives a portrait of a pink called " Norman's Henry," which, in my 

 opinion, is nothing more than a confused mass of petals, void of form 

 or of any other good quality; and yet this flower is styled a first-rate 

 show variety. 



I do not wish to be understood that I am commending the northern 

 flowers beyond their merits ; yet I cannot bring myself to confess 

 that two or three tiers of petals constitute a double flower ; but, I 

 must admit, that if they were possessed of more petals they would be 

 all a florist could desire. 



One of the southern pinks, a much esteemed flower, and generally 

 exhibited at the metropolitan and neighbouring exhibitions, carries 

 with it, according to the preceding standard, a disqualifying defect, 

 yet it is allowed to win : this flower is " Garrett's Alpha." The 

 colour of its centre and the lacing being of different shades. A still 

 further departure from the standard laid down is displayed in 

 " Unsworth's Omega," a flower repeatedly noticed in winning pans at 

 the metropolitan exhibitions, in which the shape of the interior petals 

 assimilates more closely in form to the ace of spades than any thing 

 else I can imagine. 



It would be very desirable, if some of the southern cultivators, Mr. 

 Ibbitt, Mr. Norman, or any of the large growers, would favour us, 

 after the manner of Mr. Harrison, with a descriptive list of pinks, 

 possessing the good pod and steady lacing which invariably exhibits 

 itself in " Holmes's Coronation," when in a healthy state; and also 

 the name of such flowers as approach in form to the shape of half a 

 ball, as stated in the before quoted extract. 



I have at several times purchased pinks from the south, and, with 



