

276 FLOWER GARDEN CARNATIONS, &c. [JUNE AND JULY, 



thirty to forty inches high, the corolla three inches dia- 

 meter, consisting of large round well formed petals, but 

 not so many as to crowd it, nor so few as to make it 

 appear thin or empty; the outside petals should rise 

 above the calyx about half an inch, and then turn off 

 in a horizontal direction, to support the interior petals, 

 they forming nearly a hemispherical corolla. The inte- 

 rior petals should decrease in size toward the centre, 

 all regularly disposed on every side ; they should have 

 a small degree of concavity at the lamina or broad end, 

 the edges perfectly entire. The calyx above one inch 

 in length, with strong broad points in a close and cir- 

 cular body. The colours must be perfectly distinct, 

 disposed in regular long stripes, broadest at the edge 

 of the lamina, and gradually becoming narrower as they 

 approach the unguis or base of the petal, there termin- 

 ating in a fine point. Those that contain two colours 

 upon a white ground are esteemed the finest. 



Of a double pink the stem about twelve inches, the 

 calyx smaller but similar to a carnation ; the flowers 

 two inches and a half in diameter ; petals rose edges ; 

 colour white, and pure purple, or rich crimson ; the 

 nearer it approaches to black it is the more esteemed ; 

 proportions equal as in carnation. Those that are very 

 tasteful with these flowers are attentive to the manner of 

 their opening. Where the calyx is deficient in regular 

 expansion to display the petals ; that is, where there is 

 a tendency to burst open on one side more than on 

 the other, the opposite side in two or three different 

 indentions should be slit a little at several times with 

 the point of a small sharp knife, taking care not to cut 



