THE rOLVANTHUS. 



The properties of a fine Polyanthus are as follows : — 



The stem ought to be strong, elastic, and erect, of such a height 

 that the truss may be above the grass or leaves of the plant. The 

 foot-stalks should be stiff, and of a proportionable length to the size 

 and quantity of the pips, and not less than five or more in number, 

 that the truss may be close and complete. The pipe, tube, or neck 

 of the petal, should rise above the impalement, be short, and finish 

 fluted in the eye ; the anthene should cover the neck of the tube : 

 this is what the florists call a thrvm eye. When the style perforates 

 and shows its stigma above the antherae, this is called a pin eye, 

 from its resembling a pin-head; such a flower is rejected by all 

 modern florists, let its other properties be what they may. 



The tube should be round, of a bright yellow colour, well filled with 

 anthers, bold and distinct. The eye should be round, of a bright 

 clear yellow, and distinct from the ground or body colour. 



The ground or body colour should be a dark rich crimson, resem- 

 bling velvet, epiite free from speck or blemish of any kind. The 

 pips should be large, and of rich and lively colours, and nearly all of 

 one size, and lie quite fiat and smooth, as free as possible from 

 ridges or fluting, and as round as they well can be to preserve their 

 peculiarly beautiful figure, which is circular, excepting those small 

 indentions between each division of the limb, which divides it into 

 five or six heart-shaped segments. 



The edging should resemble a bright gold lace, exactly the same 

 colour as the eye, and go perfectly round each petal, also down the 

 centre of each division of the limb to the eye, and the lacing or 

 edging to be all of one breadth. 



The best period for potting plants is after blooming, which will be 

 in June, when especial care should be taken to make a good drainage. 

 The plants must be dressed, and all offsets, or heads, which have 

 roots, should be detached. After potting, water well, that the soil 

 may be the better settled to the roots ; and place them in a shady 

 yet airy situation, and water them only when it is actually necessary, 

 else there is a probability of their perishing by the rot. They will 

 require protection during the winter months. A frame is the best, 

 taking care to let them have the benefit of all fine weather. In 

 March, you may let them have the benefit of all gentle showers of 

 rain that may fall. Top dress them with a strong compost. The 



