THE FLOWER GAUDFN. 



881 



three should be all well proportioned, which will be the case 

 if the diameter of the tub be one part, the eye three parts, 

 and the whole pip six, or nearly so. Amateurs say that the 

 pips should be round, but as this seldom happens, they con- 

 tent themselves when they nearly exhibit that figure. The 

 summits of the stameiis ought to be large, bold, and fill the 

 tub well ; the latter should terminate rather above the eye, 

 which should be smooth, round, and without cracks, of a fine 

 white colour, and distinct from the ground colour : this should 

 be equal on every side of the eye, whether it be in one uniform 

 circle, or in bright patches, and should be bold and rich, 

 perfectly distinct at the eye, and broken only at the outAvard 

 part of the edging- A dark or black purple, or bright coffee 

 colour, contrasts best with the eye ; a bright pink or rich blue 

 is pleasing ; but that which would be most desirable, in this 

 point, would be a glowing scarlet or deep crimson, if edged 

 with bright green ; but this they seldom expect. The prin- 

 cipal cause of the variegation in this flower is the green margin, 

 and, in proportion to the size of the ground colour, it should 

 be about one-half. The dark grounds of these flowers are 

 for the most part covered, less or more, with a white mealy 

 or farinaceous powder, which florists consider as a natural 

 provision to protect the flowers from the scorching effects of 

 the rays of the sun ; white, of all colours, being the greatest 

 non-conductor of heat. 



CARNATIONS. 



Carnations potted last month, should be supplied \\'x]\ 

 water as they may require, and tlie pots kept clear of wc:ds. 

 The plants should also be protected from heavy ra' s and 

 cold cutting winds, by being occasionally covered wiJi canvas 

 supported on hoops, or kept in frames, and in bad weather 

 covered with lights. If the pots be plunged in ashes, or de- 

 cayed tanner's bark, the plants will require less water, as 

 evaporation will proceed less rapidly than if the pots stood 

 exposed on all sides 



5u 



