31 



any of the green scale at the bottoms of the petals — 

 if the eye is sunk — if the shoulder is too high, the 

 face flat, or the sides too upright — if the petals show 

 an indenture as if heart-shaped — if the petals are too 

 large and coarse, or are flimsy, or do not hold their 

 form : in any or all these cases the flowers are objec- 

 tionable ; and if there be one or two of these faults 

 conspicuous, the flower is second or third-rate. 



If flowers are exhibited which shew the disc, or a 

 green scale, or have been eaten by vermin, or damaged 

 by carriage, or are evidently decayed,, the censors 

 should reject them at once. 



Characteristics of the Plant. — Although the form 

 of the plant is quite of secondary consideration, and 

 is only to be regarded as subservient to the more im- 

 portant consideration of exhibiting the flowers to more 

 advantage as they grow, yet it is a matter worthy of 

 some notice. Mr. Paxton's observations upon it are 

 very judicious. He says, the general figure should 

 be uniform and compact, that is, it should gradually 

 enlarge from the lowest lateral shoots to the extre- 

 mity of those highest, and it should be devoid of a 

 straggling or rambling habit. Secondly, the plant 

 should be disposed to bloom freely and numerously. 

 Thirdly, its blossoms should stand out clearly from 

 the foliage, on short, strong flower-stalks, so as to be 

 presented boldly and advantageously. (Paxton on 

 the Dahlia, 99 J 



