30 



even 'when half opened, and should form circular 

 rows, uniformly laid, evenly opened, and enlarging by 

 degrees to the outer row of all. 



5 . The flower should be very double. The rows of 

 petals laying one above another, should cover one 

 another very nearly ; not more should be seen in 

 depth than half the breadth ; the more they are 

 covered, so as to leave them distinct, the better in 

 that respect ; the petals, therefore, though cupped 

 must be shallow. 



6. Size. — The size of the flower when well grown 

 should be less than four inches in diameter, and not 

 more than six. 



7. Colour. — The colour should be dense, what- 

 ever it be — not as if it were a white dipped in colour, 

 but as if the whole flower was coloured throughout. 

 Whether tipped or edged, it must be free from 

 splashes or blotches, or indefinite marks of any kind ; 

 and new flowers, unless they beat all old ones of the 

 same colour, or are of a novel colour themselves, with 

 a majority of the points of excellence, should be re- 

 jected. 



Defects. — If the petals show the under side too 

 much, even when looked at sideways — if they do not 

 cover each other well — if the centre is composed of 

 petals pointing upwards, or those which are round the 

 centre are confused — if the petals are too narrow, or 

 exhibit too much of their length — or if they show 



