JANUARY. 
5 
in the faultiness of that, which I own fails on the side not 
generally where failure takes place, in not being at all equal to 
the original—but the fault is not Mr. Andrews’s. I did not 
know his exact address, and finding a Mr. Andrews, an artist, 
in the directory, sent my truss there, and when I found out my 
mistake could only send him a pip from a second bloom, and 
this doubtless was not at all as good as it ought to have been. 
I can say nothing about North Star; the colour is lovely, 
reminding one ot Headly’s Apollo, but better in shape. I should 
feel inclined to say, from its appearance, that it has too many 
petals, and would perhaps cup. But if the drawing be a cor¬ 
rect portrait, it will be well worthy of a place in every collec¬ 
tion. The following notes of a few of the best selfs out I have 
added from personal observation this year:— 
Blackbird (Spalding’s).—A remarkably fine-looking flower, having a 
fine bold pip of a dark maroon colour, paste good, eye bright orange— 
having, however, one fault, the anthers project too much above the eye, 
making it what we call thrum-eyed; the foliage is long and smooth, and 
the plant vigorous. 
Bessy Bell (Spalding’s). Another good flower by the same raiser. I had 
but a small plant; it was not with me so vigorous in growth, or so large a 
plant, but promised well. 
Hannibal (Faulkner’s).—There is a good deal of discussion about this 
flower, which it owes to my having re-introduced it from Ireland—some 
asserting it is the same as Squire Munday ; this I cannot determine, not 
having that flower. Hannibal is a fine foliaged plant, with meal on the 
midrib ; the pip is large, rather flimsy, bright maroon, eye orange ; a good 
constitutioncd plant, and always ready for an exhibition table. 
Meteor Flag (Lightbo<ly).—The plant is mealy throughout, the leaves 
long and serrated, pip circular, and the colour a lively blue; it has, however, 
the appearance of being divided into segments, which gives it a curious 
appearance, not adding to its beauty. 
Othello (Netherwood).—A robust green-foliaged plant, the flower-stem 
too long, the pips of a dark maroon colour, very pretty when it first opens, 
but has the defect of throwing back the petals after a few days. 
Mrs. Sturrock (Martin).—Foliage mealy and pointed, increases well, 
pips round, colour almost a crimson, very striking on a stage; eye would be 
better if a little deeper. 
Metropolitan (Parker’s).—Foliage very small; indeed, in the winter 
the plant looks as if it were vanishing altogether, but it revives wonderfully 
in the spring, and always throws up a large truss of a beautiful plum colour, 
somewhat shaded, as if it had an Alpine parentage on one side; the eye is 
orange. I have never met Redmayne’s Metropolitan, which this is often 
sold as. 
Mrs. Smith (Smith’s).—Strong-habited plant, colour deep indigo blue, eye 
light, a tolerably good trusser, and generally speaking a very desirable variety. 
Eclipse (Martin).—Foliage smooth and mealy, the pip somewhat under¬ 
sized, a good colour, dark plum ; were the flower larger it would be a first- 
rate variety. 
Chapman’s Squire Smith was very poor with me this year. Headlt’s 
Aurora too small; others I cannot speak much about, but hope to take 
notes of them another year. 
Deal, Dec. 24, 
D. 
