CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POLYANTHUS. 



87 



between the primrose and cowslip, form a truss or bunch of several flowers each on a 

 foot-stalk proceeding from a flower-stem. There are also what are called primrose- 

 polyanthuses, i.e., the first blooms are like those of the primrose, the others being 

 elevated on a stem like those of the polyanthus. The points of these flowers may be 

 formulated as follows : — 



The Gold-laced Polyanthus ought to have a strong, straight stem, from 4 to 6 inches 

 in height, rising above the foliage. The foot- stalks should be of sufficient length to 

 bring the flowers into a close, compact, and symmetrical bunch of not fewer than five 

 expanded blooms. The pips large, flat, 

 and circular, with the exception of a 

 small indentation at the margin of each 

 of the divisions. The flower to be 

 "thrum-eyed," the ground colour red or 

 black, unshaded and dense, with a thin 

 lacing regularly round each segment, 

 cutting down to the centre, and of the 

 same colour as the latter. The centre 

 must be free from stain. A truss is 

 shown in Fig. 44. 



The Fancy Polyanthus should have 

 stout and erect flower-stems, with com- 

 pact heads of bloom formed of large, 

 well- shaped pips with " thrum eyes." 



The Primrose must be of compact 



Fig. 44. Gold-laced Polyanthits. 



tufted habit, with stout foliage and 



numerous flowers, which should be on foot-stalks of such length that the blooms are 

 displayed in a mass well outside the leaves. The flowers to be of clear and distinct 

 colours, unstained, of good substance, and circular, with "thrum eyes" (Fig. 45). 



The Gold-laced Polyanthus is generally cultivated in pots, receiving almost the same 

 treatment as the Stage auricula ; but seedling plants of no special merit may be grown 

 in beds or borders, their cut flowers being often much admired. The best time for 

 propagating named sorts is in the beginning of August, when the old plants require 

 re-potting. The offsets should then be taken off and put in pots. The old 

 plants must have the ball reduced, and the roots pruned so as to allow of fresh 



