320 
THE FLORIST. 
are lamented, and it is refused only because of them ; but be it con- 
fessed that this flower—the richest pearl of all its tribe—is discarded 
because Carnation-growers lack, in this instance, the perseverance or 
the spirit of other florists. Let not this reflection be misconstrued 
into discourtesy of feeling; for I seek not to asperse florists for the 
neglect of a duty, but rather, by earnestness of appeal, to urge them 
to the fulfilment of it. 
Hull, Oct. 3. F. R. Horner. 
THE PELARGONIUM. 
(Continued from p. 304.) 
Such of our readers as may have purchased the varieties figured in 
the accompanying plate will be agreeably disappointed on seeing 
the flowers themselves, and we had rather that it was so. It has 
always been our wish to keep our descriptions free from exaggera¬ 
tions. This illustration formed half of the zinc plate struck off with 
the figured varieties, see p. 169. Fresh flowers were twice sent to 
the colourer,* but he has failed to copy them correctly : so much for 
this subject. If our readers will refer to a paper by Mr. Hoyle, at 
p. 6, they will find that, in proposing a standard of excellence (with 
which we agree in the main), he places as the first point, “ abun¬ 
dance of bloom.” We should substitute for this, novelty of colours; 
but we will give our ideas by stating how we look at a lot of seed¬ 
lings. Here, say we, is a perfect novelty, and we select it for 
examination; it is of good form, stout, free from curl or crumple, 
the edge has no indentations, the colours are clear, texture good, 
it has a fine eye, no feather, and is a flower that sits well, but it is 
not a free bloomer. Now here are others equally good in every 
point, except that of novelty, and they are also abundant bloomers. 
Certainly we should select the former for our prize flower. The 
amateur will accept it with that fault, although the nurseryman 
will consider it a great objection ; with him freedom of bloom is in¬ 
dispensable; he requires a plant for “ general purposes,” one from 
which he can cut flowers for bouquets, or that will tempt purchasers 
from its head of blossoms. Mr. Hovle has omitted from his cate- 
gory of excellences constancy; not that he considers it as an imma¬ 
terial point, but he has overlooked it in the paper alluded to, and 
which he drew up hastily, as a little help to The Florist in its in¬ 
fancy. We say this at a venture, for we know the correctness of 
his taste in the Pelargonium. 
No flower that we are acquainted with is submitted to more 
severe tests than the one in question. Pansies, Dahlias, Pinks, 
Carnations, Picotees, Tulips, &c. &c. are shewn in a cut state, 
and of course defective blossoms are rejected for this purpose. But 
* Not the colourer employed on The Florist; the plate in question is supplied 
by E. B. 
