April] FLOWER GARDEN. 347 



some dark colour, by way of contrast to the white eyes, &c. of the 

 flowers; and if a large, looking-glass be placed at each end of the 

 stage, the effect produced will be very pleasing, by apparently 

 lengthening the stage each way as far as the eye can reach. 



A row of fine polyanthuses in pots may likewise be introduced 

 on the auricula stage; it will add to the variety and form a pleasing 

 contrast. 



The tallest flowering auriculas should stand on the most distant 

 shelf, and the shortest in front; those stems which are weak and 

 bend ought to be supported with small wires fixed in the earth 

 behind them so as not to be easily discerned. If the root of the 

 stage is covered with glass it will be an additional advantage to 

 the plants. 



A description of the properties of a fine variegated Jlnricida. 



The stem should be strong, erect, and elastic, and of a proper 

 height, that the bunch or truss of flowers may be above the foliage 

 of the plant. 



The peduncles or foot-stalks should also be strong and elastic, 

 and of a proportional length to the size and quantity of the pips, 

 which should not be less than seven in number, that the bunch may 

 be rather round, close, and compact. 



The component parts of the pip, are the tube, with its stamens 

 and anthers, the eye, and the exterior circle containing the 

 ground colour, with its edge or margin; these three should be all 

 well proportioned, which will be the case if the diameter of the 

 tube be one part, the eye three, and the whole pip or flower six, or 

 nearly so. 



All the admirers of this charming flower agree that the pips 

 ought to be round; but this seldom happens, and we must be 

 content if they are so nearly round as not to be what is called 

 starry. 



The anthers or summits of the stamens ought to be large, bold, 

 and fill the tube well, and the tube should terminate rather above 

 the eye; the eye should be very white, smooth, and round, without 

 any cracks, and distinct from the ground or self-colour. 



The ground colour should be. bold and rich, ami equal on every 

 side of the eye, whether it be in one uniform circle, or in bright 

 patches; it should be distinct at the eye, and only broken at the 

 outward part, into the edging; a fine black purple, or coffee-colour, 

 contrast best with the eye; a rich blue, or bright pink, is pleasing, 

 but a glowing scarlet, or deep crimson, would be most desirable it 

 well edged with a bright green, but this is very rare. 



The green edge or margin is the principal cause of the vark'gated 

 appearance in the flower, and it should be in proportion to the 

 ground colour, that is, about one half of each. 



The darker grounds are generally covered with a white powder, 

 which constitutes much of the beauty of the flower. 



