474 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



biting flowers on cards is essential to the exhibitor in taking his 

 flowers to the show in the best possible condition., and also the 

 white cards are a contrast to the high colours in the Carnation r 

 and therefore bring it out to greater perfection on the exhibition 

 table. 



I might here describe the chief points or merits which consti- 

 tute a show flower. The outline should be circular, the colours or 

 markings bright and clearly defined, and, in a Carnation, running 

 from the edge of the petal to the base ; the petal broad and slightly 

 cupped, of good substance ; the white to be quite pure, without 

 any spots or bars, and the markings to be distinct and bright. 



The Carnation is divided into various classes for exhibition 

 purposes —viz. Scarlet Bizarres, Crimson Bizarres, Pink and 

 Purple Bizarres, Purple Flakes, Scarlet Flakes, and Hose 

 Flakes. The Bizarres should consist of three colours and the 

 Flakes of two. I shall now pass to a description of the Bizarres, 

 the first of which are the 



Scaklet Bizarres. 



This is a very attractive class, and the colours which con- 

 stitute a Scarlet Bizarre should be bright scarlet markings, with 

 stripes of maroon and white on each petal. The oldest variety 

 in this class now in cultivation is Admiral Curzon, which was 

 raised nearly fifty years since, and is still to be seen on the exhi- 

 bition table ; the best varieties of the present day are Arthur 

 Medhurst, James Mackintosh, Eobert Houlgrave, Bobert Lord, 

 and George. 



Crimson Bizarres. 



This class has the richest markings of the whole section, the 

 colours of which should be bright crimson striped with other 

 shades of colour and white. Amongst the oldest flowers and 

 still in circulation we have Lord Milton, over fifty years old. 

 The most prominent now grown for exhibition are Master 

 Fred, Harrison Weir, and Kifleman. 



Pink and Purree Bizarres. 



The Pink and Purple Bizarres are very chaste, one variety, 

 Sarah Payne, a very old one, still retaining its excellence, 

 although the petals are very often much reflexed, or what florists 



