186 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[August, 
mention a number of really splendid things in this section, all of which have 
many of the points necessary to constitute a “ first class for instance, Prince of 
Wales, Achievement, Hovvarth Ashton, Jetty Lacy, Sir Robert Napier, Mr. 
Rutter, Peter Grieve, Mrs. Grieve, Mrs. Headly, Plutarch, Ealing Rival, Mrs. 
Dunnett, Sophia Cusack, Moonstone, Resplendent, L’Empereur, and Queen 
Victoria (which has the best formed leaf of any) ; nor must Lady Cullum be 
forgotten, for I lately saw it exhibited with colours nearly if not quite as 
brilliant as those of any of the newer varieties; but no one of these combines all 
the points which I have enumerated as necessary to constitute a perfect tricolor, 
and I am therefore quite at a loss to say which of them approaches nearest to 
my ideal model.* 
All the above-named are magnificent varieties, and in fact should be in the 
possession of the connoisseur or the cross-breeder for novelties in the tricolor 
tribe ; and to whom I would say—Heed not the opinion of those who maintain 
that we shall make no further advance, for I believe by steady and systematic 
labour and perseverance it is yet possible to improve very considerably upon the 
best we have obtained. I believe that we shall certainly attain a more perfect 
and distinct yellow margin, with a more intense and vivid red, and a deeper 
black in the zone, and these in combination, too, with more perfectly circular 
outlines in the leaf and its markings. 
Great difference of opinion seems to prevail as to the proper time for showing 
tricolors; the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society has several 
times refused to award certificates to very meritorious plants, because shown in 
the early spring; and even now I believe no decided rule has been made or 
understanding arrived at by the Committee. On this point, therefore, I think it 
may not be out of place to say one or two words. 
It appears to me that this difference of opinion arises entirely from mixing up 
two very distinct questions. The fact is that tricolors, like those cultivated for 
their flowers, should be divided into two distinct sections : 1, those useful 
and adapted for conservatory decoration ; and, 2, those useful and adapted 
for bedding. Of course, it follows that these sections must be judged on totally 
different principles, and under a totally different state of circumstances. For 
instance, the plants in the first section might be shown at any time, though in 
my opinion preferably in winter and early spring, for not only are the greater 
number of these plants then in the finest possible colour, but they are then most 
useful as ornamental additions in the conservatory ; whereas the plants in the 
second section ought not to be adjudicated upon until July or August, nor until 
the plants have been in a bed in the open air for at least six weeks. To prevent 
the misuse of certificates, it would be sufficient to add after u first-class certificate ” 
the words “ as a bedding-plant,” or u as a conservatory plant,” as the case might 
be.— John Denny, Stoke Newington. 
* Pearson's Lady Manners comes very near it.—E d. 
