102 



EOTAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



thing like regularity in its development, so far as that can be 

 realized in conjunction with its natural habit. The plant should 

 neither be of a stubborn character ; nor must it be of a delicate 

 constitution, such as gardeners call "mifly." Iu a general way 

 it should be compact and bushy, or at least, so far as is compatible 

 with its natural character, the opposite of straggling and lanky in 

 its mode of growth. Sometimes, it is true, a bad habit may be 

 overcome by the skill of the cultivator, but it is better that a good 

 habit should be inherent. Even in a climber open long-jointed 

 growth is not desirable. 



2. Profusion of Flowers well displayed. — There should not only 

 be an abundance of flowers produced, but they should be so dis- 

 posed as to be effective ; that is, they must not be hidden amongst 

 the foliage, nor, if their beauty depends upon a view of their face, 

 must they hang about loosely so that the face cannot be seen. If 

 they are pendent, it should be with natural grace. They should 

 not be crowded by foliage, nor crushed among themselves by being 

 over numerous or disadvantageously set on. 



3. Healthy Leaf- development. — No plant can be really beautiful 

 which has not well-grown and well-coloured healthy foliage ; but 

 the leaves should generally be subdued in comparison with the 

 flowers, and must not be disproportionately large or numerous. 

 If the foliage is handsome, it is all the better, but it must be 

 healthy and wholesome-looking. 



4. Bright, pure, dense, or pleasingly-contrasted Colours. — All dull 

 dingy colours stamp a flower with inferiority, though they may 

 sometimes be permitted as curiosities, especially if the flower is of 

 some very remarkable form. 



5. Form and Substance of Flowers and Endurance. — Unless 

 flowers put on some of the best forms, which their particular type 

 may be capable of yielding, and are stout and durable in texture, 

 they neither present the highest beauty of which they are capable, 

 nor do their beauties of whatever order continue. Flimsy flowers 

 soon perish, and are hence much inferior to those of stout enduring 

 substance. 



6. Succession of Bloom. — It is a greater merit, to produce a 

 succession of blossoms in order that the blooming season may be 

 prolonged, provided they are not thereby rendered scanty and 

 scattered, than to give a flush of flowers, the beauty of which is 

 fleeting, and then not to bloom again for a considerable season. 

 Next in merit to a plentiful succession of flowers, comes a good 

 head of bloom ; and those plants are of the least merit which only 

 bear a few scattered blossoms at long intervals of time. 



