29 



of the first season of seedlings, when the minimum 

 might be three), and as many more as can be sym- 

 metrically arranged, that have the required properties. 

 Selfs, or Auriculas with only one colour besides the 

 eye, are judged on the same principle as regards form, 

 colour, uniformity, and size ; with this exception, that 

 as in some sorts the eye is small, in comparison with 

 the blue, purple, or dark ground-colour, a slight va- 

 riation is required, under the head of '^ harmony ;" 

 and the paste, or eye, ought to be one-half the width 

 of the tube — larger in self-coloured Auriculas than in 

 those which are edged. Alpines, or Auriculas with 

 yellow centres and shaded margins, are judged by the 

 same standard as above. They are not, however, 

 often exhibited, or grown in collections, as it is next 

 to impossible to save good seed where they are culti- 

 vated. {Gard. Chron. 1845, 256.) 



In deciding on the relative merits of flowers, it is a 

 good plan to give to form, including rotundity and 

 flatness of the corolla, &c., five points ; to harmony, 

 or a just distribution of colour, four points ; to inten- 

 sity (including just association) of colouring, three 

 points ; to uniformity, or proportions of the truss, 

 two points : and to size, one point. Suppose, by 

 way of illustration, that the two heads of competing 

 flowers are trusses of Lee's Colonel Taylor, green 

 edge; No. 1, with seven pips, from rather a weakly 

 plant ; No. 2, with five, rather larger. In form and 



