29 



ing. The object ought to be to obtain freedom with- 

 out looseness, boldness without coarseness, and sym- 

 metry and uniformity without stiffness or formality. 

 (Gard. Chron. 1843, 87.) 



Mr. Glenny's code of excellence is comprised in 

 these requirements : — 



L Form. — The flower should be a perfect circle 

 when viewed in front ; the petals should be broad at 

 the ends, smooth at the edges, thick in substance, 

 perfectly free from indenture or point, stiff to hold its 

 form ; should cup a little, but not enough to shew 

 the under surface. They should be in regular rows, 

 forming an outline of a perfect circle, without any 

 vacancy between them ; and all in the circle should 

 be the same size, uniformly opened to the same shape, 

 and not rubbed or crumpled. 



2. The flower should form two-thirds of a ball when 

 looked at sideways. The rows of petals should rise 

 one above another in rows ; every petal should cover 

 the join of the two petals under it — what the florists 

 call imbricating — by which means the circular appear- 

 ance is perfected throughout. 



3. The centre should be perfect ; the unbloomed 

 petals lying with their points towards the centre, 

 should form a button, and should be the highest part 

 of the flower completing the ball. 



4. The flower should be symmetrical. The petals 

 should open boldly, without showing their under-side, 



