24 



3. The truss is improved if one or more leaves 

 grow, and stand up well behind the blooms, for it 

 assists the truss, and adds much to the beauty of the 

 blooms by forming a green background. 



4. The fohage, or grass, should be healthy, well- 

 grown, and almost cover the pot. {Gard. and Florist, 

 i. 45.) 



We are of opinion that all these criteria are founded 

 upon the dictates of correct taste ; but, as these ex- 

 cellencies are never combined in one variety, and as 

 some, being equals in many qualities, are mutually 

 superior in others, the question constantly arises at 

 Auricula exhibitions, as to which variety has the pre- 

 ponderance of merit. Now, we are clearly of opinion 

 that/orm, including in this the relative proportions of 

 the colours on the pips, the length of the footstalks, 

 the number of pips, &c., is by far the most striking 

 excellence in an Auricula. Next to this we should 

 place the harmony, or, as we should prefer, the agree- 

 able contrast, or complemental association, of the co- 

 lours. In our estimate of these, and other points of 

 excellence, we agree with an authority, who has em- 

 bodied his judgment as follows : — 



Forrn, including the shape and proportion of the 

 tube, of course takes the precedence, without refer- 

 ence to colour ; for, let that be as it may, if the 

 margin of the pips is undulated or frilled (a fault 

 more particularly observable in selfs), or if the seg- 



