202 STANDARD OF POINTS FOR CARNATIONS 



possesses a pleasing color it is of little use, as it is the color 

 that first of all excites admiration. The color should not 

 only be pleasing, but it should be pure in tone. White 

 should be as white as it is possible to get in a flower, and 

 the petals should be free from flaking. The lighter shades 

 of pink should contain enough yellow to prevent bleaching, 

 and the cerise shades should contain enough scarlet to hold 

 their brilliancy. There are two distinct shades of scarlet. 

 The light or orange scarlet, as seen in Scarlet Glow, and 

 the deep red, as seen in Adonis. Either of these possesses 

 a brilliancy that is practically unaffected by age. The 

 crimson, which is really maroon, should contain enough 

 scarlet to light up under the rays of sun or artificial light. 

 A yellow should be clear and of a golden hue, the best so 

 far being Yellow Prince. Self colors are considered of 

 greatest value, but a well marked, striped or flaked variety 

 has its uses. Any color that is pleasing to the eye is 

 worthy of a place. 



The size, which carries 20 points, should be as near 

 four inches wide as possible. Blooms that measured over 

 four inches have been shown, but they have invariably 

 proved to be freaks, or overfed. Four inches is still the 

 standard for size. 



The calyx, which carries five points, should be so 

 formed as to hold the flower firmly and without bursting. 



To the stem is allotted 20 points. It should hold the 

 flower erect at all times. It should be 3 ft. long by January. 

 It should be wiry and tough, and not snap too easily at the 

 joints. 



Substance carries 15 points. The petals should be 

 hard enough to withstand, without bruising, the necessary 

 handling in the markets. The blooms should also keep in 

 a fresh condition a. reasonable length of time without going 



