12 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



smoothness of the unbroken roundness was destroyed. 

 This defect occurs even in recent varieties, and it detracts 

 from their charm. 



Notwithstanding these differences, it is safe to describe 

 the many varieties as all belonging to the earliest or smooth- 

 standard group, now commonly called, for the sake of dis- 

 tinction, the grandiflora division. The hooding and the 

 reflexing were merely indications of some inherent weak- 

 ness of the variety, and could by no means be claimed to 

 constitute sufficient difference to justify the creation of a 

 distinguishing section. 



These prevailed until Countess Spencer was first shown 

 only nine years ago. In this break away from the normal, 

 not only was the form of the flower totally distinct, but 

 there was a structural variation of immense importance, 

 since it was well within the bounds of possibility that it 

 would affect the constancy of the variety or varieties. 

 The difference of form was all for the better. The rigid 

 outline of the smooth standard was broken, and we had a 

 bloom in which the standards were waved in an elegant 

 and attractive manner and the wings showed the same 

 exquisite characteristic, and the flower became popular 

 even before it was generally known, so enthusiastic were 

 contemporary writers in their comments and praises. 



In one respect this group shows some inferiority in 

 comparison with the old, smooth flowers. When the 



