86 ON THE PINK. 



ARTICLE V. 



ON THE PINK. 



BY FI.ORISTA. 



The article inserted in the last December Number of the Cabinet 

 was written expressly fer the purpose of eliciting the opinions of the 

 cultivators of the Pink, as to what should be considered the requisite 

 qualities of a first rate flower ; or, in other words, to give their senti- 

 ments as to a standard being adopted, to which all might accede. 



1 have read the remarks made by Mr. Ibbett in the last Number 

 of the Cabinet, and which, in my opinion, are not in any degree 

 satisfactory. After some uncalled-for observations on anonymous 

 correspondents, he proceeds to say he differs from the assertion I 

 have made, "that the northern and southern florists are at issue on 

 the properties requisite to constitute a first-rate flower;" and in sup- 

 port of his view he states he has for some years supplied Pinks to 

 several cultivators residing in northern counties. Doubtless this is a 

 very gratifying circumstance to him; but I beg to say it is not an 

 answer to my previous statement. I might as well inquire whether 

 he purchased any of the northern Pinks in return, and how the blooms 

 were placed at the flower exhibitions at which he was a competitor ; 

 for it is generally known that few of the northern varieties are culti- 

 vated in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, and I am inclined to 

 think some cause must be assigned for such a circumstance; yet if 

 it is not on account of the difference of opinion regarding the pro- 

 perties requisite to constitute a first-rate vari ty. I am sure Mr. 

 Ibbett would confer a great obligation by stating how it can be other- 

 wise accounted for. He will further oblige by stating how many of 

 the Pinks sent by him into the northern districts have taken prizes ; 

 and particularly whether any southern varieties have been staged at 

 any of the various flower shows held in the following towns in York- 

 shire, viz., Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Wakefield, and Hud- 

 dersfield— places where the cultivation of this particular flower is 

 carried on to an amazing extent. 



I find Mr. Ibbett has not even alluded to the statement I have 

 made regarding the shape of petal-lacing and colour of the northern 

 Pinks being surpassed by any of the southern ones, but proceeds to 

 notice Norman's Henry, which he pronounces a first-rate flower. I 

 believe he Mill find, on reading the passage again, that my observations 



