312 
THE GARDENING WORLD. January 18, 1890. 
Classifying the Yellow Carnations. 
Our old friend Richard Dean must feel delightfully 
flattered with the response he has obtained to his sugges¬ 
tion as to classification. Like a successful angler, he 
baited his hook with great skill, and thanks are due to 
him, for had he not introduced the subject, we should 
not have had the matter so thoroughly discussed. Some 
men will think and not speak, others will speak with¬ 
out thinking, while others grumble and yet say 
nothing to any purpose, but he has induced some to 
think and to speak too. I don’t think that either he 
or my old friend Mr. Dodweli wish to be considered as 
oracles, or desire to dictate as to what shall or what 
shall not be done. Each has spoken as he thought, 
and I hope that others may do the same, then some 
simple but comprehensive arrangement may be come to. 
As to the divisional classification of yellow seifs, that I 
think would be “too too” ; a self is a self be it primrose, 
yellow, orange, slate, scarlet, or whatever colour it 
may. As to classing silver-grey, dove, or any of the 
neutral tints amongst yellow grounds, that is too 
absurd; the man must be colour-blind who wrnuld think 
of doing such a thing. Still, some of these tints (of 
which our neighbours over the water have such a great 
diversity) are exceedingly beautiful from a decorative 
point of view, and deserve cultivation. 
There are, doubtless, clean-edged yellow Picotees, but 
as a rule the depth of tone on the edge is not sufficiently 
distinct to render them fit for grand show flowers ; there 
are flakes and bizarres too, but, again, they are not of 
such distinction as to commend them for distinct 
classification at present. Of course we hope to, and may 
in time, succeed in obtaining distinct lines, but as a 
rule the picoteed yellow grounds can but be classed as 
fancies. Then the Carnations of the yellow section are 
so extremely varied that it will be necessary to have a 
large head as well as a large heart, and a voluminous 
schedule to arrange for distinct classification of all the 
beautiful things that will be forthcoming in the near 
future, and above all would require a larger subscrip¬ 
tion list be required to provide prizes for each and all 
that could be presented, even at the present time. 
The most likely and only way to meet the case will be 
for those who feel such interest in the yellows, and 
possess the means, to offer special prizes for such extra 
division or class, unless some disinterested lover of the 
Carnation feels inclined to present honorary exhibits. 
Then we might possibly see many varieties which are now 
conspicuous by their absence ; but to provide a more 
extensive schedule will need greatly increased funds, be 
it in the south, the midlands, or the north. If our 
Continental friends could be induced to exhibit at 
the Chiswick gatherings, if it were simply for trade 
purposes, it would be a great boon to the English 
amateur from an educational point of view, as I am 
convinced that they possess wondrous varieties of which 
we poor British growers have no idea. Whilst we have 
been for years restricting our culture to fixed forms and 
colours, they have given the reins to nature, and 
have adopted everything that was distinctly good. No 
flower is so grand in its diversified forms, colours, and 
markings as the family of the Dianthus, but the queen 
of them all is the Caryophylloides; if the Royal 
fails to obtain such a contribution, the Aquarium 
may be able to secure a continental display, or perhaps 
it may be possible to hold such an exhibition in the 
east end amongst the toilers. 
As the Carnation is essentially everybody’s flower, 
and amenable to metropolitan culture, an exhibition of 
florists’ Pinks and Carnations in the People’s Palace, or 
any similar institution, might, and would possibly 
lead to their culture amongst the working classes as in 
days gone by, and prove a source of delight to thousands 
of those who have far too few means of social and 
intellectual enjoyment. 
I cannot see why all the flower showsshould be confined 
to the extreme west, thus practically excluding the 
denizens of the city and eastern suburbs from a sight so 
charming. I cannot but think that it would be to the 
interest of horticulture if the exhibitions were held in a 
more central position, and easy of access ; they would 
then be more widely patronised, and be far more 
instructive to the general community.— W. W. 
I did not intend taking further part in the discussion I 
commenced, but I am drawn aside from this resolve by 
the appearance of Mr. Ranger Johnson’s paper on p. 
296. He agrees with me that the yellow grounds need 
a separate classification in forthcoming schedules, but 
he administers a quiet cuff by (evidently) regarding me 
as a progressist who is in a hurry. Now, I am not 
in a hurry. I am quite content to wait; but before the 
classification takes place an immense amount of pre¬ 
judice has to be got out of the way, and the opposition has 
assumed such a formidable form that I think before 
anything of the kind is attempted, we shall possess yellow 
seifs that in the opinion of Mr. Johnson will rank equal 
with Gladys and Emma Lakin, and even with some of the 
best of the Carnations and Picotees of the flaked, bizarre 
and edged sections. I think much more highly of 
Germania than Mr. Johnson does ; I have grown it for 
two seasons, and I see in it great possibilities of high 
development under proper treatment. 
Mr. Johnson asks me for my standard of a yellow 
self. I am content to take Germania, Will Threlfall, 
Edith, Pride of Penshurst, &c., as very fair standards 
indeed in what might be termed a new class. Ger¬ 
mania has many fine qualities—a robust grower, very 
free, pure in colour, a fine petal, full, and needs but 
little assistance from the dresser. Here is my present 
standard. I expect next season to see something better 
than this, and so a higher standard will be provided. 
We had accepted standards in the other classes of Car¬ 
nations and Picotees half a century ago ; but they are 
constantly being replaced by something further onwards 
in the line of progress. I can have no fixed standard 
beyond the very best. I may set up an ideal flower in 
my mind ; but as soon as it is reached I can then 
imagine something more beautiful still. Mr. Johnson 
agrees so far with me that I have great hope of his 
active support. “ W. L. W.” gives a qualified 
approval to my suggestions. “ Fair Play ” also affords 
me a warm support, though I am not bound to agree 
to everything he states. We who are grouped as pro¬ 
gressists are supporting a winning cause, and we have 
only to patiently wait to see our efforts crowned with 
success, even though we at present have to battle 
against terrible odds from the fact of some of the 
recognised leaders in floricultural matters being arrayed 
against us.— E. Dean. 
Self Carnation Classes. 
Mr. Ranger Johnson rather blows both hot and cold 
over yellow self Carnations, because he first would not 
have them separate from others, and then he would. I 
do not see that his argument as to lack of quality com¬ 
pared with the finest flowers of the flaked and bizarre 
sections holds good, because yellow grounds or seifs — 
as, indeed, all other seifs—would have to be compared 
with each other in the matter of quality, and not with 
other totally diverse sections, and especially if Mr. 
Johnson holds that there is very considerable room for 
improvement in the yellow seifs. Surely, few courses 
would tend to the creation of that improvement so 
much as making them a separate class, and thus 
enabling us to see their naked defects. 
So far from admitting everything which Mr. Johnson 
urges, I hold that considering the comparative infancy 
to the yellow self section, almost wonders have been 
accomplished, as is so freely admitted, that a stand of 
twelve yellow seifs, not more than two of one variety, 
is easily produced. The proposal to have a separate 
class for yellow seifs seems to have created alarm lest 
the mixed self class should be robbed of these shades of 
yellow ; they are so full of life and glory, and all that 
sort of thing. It is a pity we cannot discuss a simple 
matter of this sort without introducing such strong 
phrases, as they only serve to cloud the controversy 
rather than to assist it. 
If mixed classes for seifs be continued, why, every 
shade of self can be permitted, of course ; but if, also, 
a class for yellow seifs be established, the mixed boxes 
may not be robbed in consequence. But I am prepared 
to go much further than any previous proposal, although 
the modest suggestion of change seems but to arouse a 
hornet’s nest amongst the old florists, and courageous 
and bold indeed must be the man who dares to suggest 
drastic changes. Now, I am sick of the mixed classes, 
whether of flakes and bizarres, or of seifs. Least of 
all do I like the single-flower classes; they are as 
unkempt and untidy on the exhibition stage as well 
can be, and they leave everybody, not in the secret of 
their selection, in a muddle. 
1 venture to suggest, first, with a view to the intro¬ 
duction into shows of greater variety in flowers, and, 
second, to help the public to understand more fully 
their proper classification, that, except in a few cases, 
all mixed classes be abolished, and that there be in 
place thereof established classes for eight and for three 
flowers—distinct—of each possible section, whether of 
Carnations, Picotees, or seifs. Thus, there would be 
some seven or eight classes for flakes and bizarres ; 
half-a-dozm for Picotees ; others for yellow-ground 
fancies ; also for other fancies ; also for white, yellow, 
salmon, rose, scarlet, purple and crimson seifs. The 
classes would of necessity be very numerous, but to 
enable them to be formed the prizes should be small, 
so that there would be no one or two lions opening 
wide their mouths and making a big gulp, but the 
bulk of exhibitors, big and little, would all have a 
chance to stand in. 
How interesting would it be, then, to have the best 
bloom of every section shown, as it were, in competition 
with each other! I will undertake to assert that the 
interest in Carnation shows, now rather languid, 
would be enormously increased. If the Carnation 
societies will not follow this lead, I hope the Chiswick 
Conference Committee will, and let us see what can be 
done in a new direction.— A. 
Primula sinensis, Progress. 
The leaves of this variety are of the ordinary triangular- 
cordate outline, and moderately vigorous. The flowers 
are large and flat, with the segments imbricated, and 
of a rich carmine-crimson, as far as we could make out 
in the dim light of the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, 
where it was exhibited on the 8th and 9th inst. The 
greenish yellow five-angled eye is surrounded by a pale 
or white line. The name “Progress’’ has no doubt 
been given in reference to the brilliancy of the flowers, 
and if it can be perpetuated true to name, culture can 
no doubt improve it in vigour, like the older varieties 
grown by Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, who exhibited it. 
A First Class Certificate was awarded it by the National 
Chrysanthemum Society. 
Carnation, Louisa Ashburton. 
Amongst a large batch of tree Carnations which we 
noted recently in one of the low span-roofed houses in 
the nursery of Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, that 
under notice stood out prominently as a good white 
variety. The flowers are of large size, and very fully 
double, with finely-serrated petals. It stood about 
18 ins. high, was close and bushy at the base, and well 
furnished with succession shoots. In contrast to the 
above was another variety named Burgundy, with bright 
scarlet flowers and tall habit. Van Houtte is another 
good scarlet, faintly striated with paler lines. It is also 
of good habit—a matter of great importance for pot 
work. There are some, on the contrary, that may 
furnish good flowers for cut work, but cannot be admired 
as plants on account of their loose lanky habit. A 
great fault with many of the tree Carnations is that 
they are devoid of that odour which is so marked a 
feature in the old Clove. The same may be said of 
many of the border Carnations. Raisers of tree Car¬ 
nation would do well to note this fact, and breed from 
the lod Clove or some one similarly fragrant. 
- 
MID-WINTER CHRYSANTHE¬ 
MUMS. 
Conference at the Westminster Aquarium. 
On Wednesday the 8th inst., the occasion of the mid¬ 
winter show of the National Chrysanthemum Society, 
a conference was held. Mr. Ballantine presided, and 
there was a good attendance of growers and others. The 
subject of the paper read was “Are Chrysanthemums 
wanted at Mid-winter ? ” and the author was Mr. J. 
Kipling, gardener to Lord Lytton, at Knebworth, who 
discussed the subject as follows :—The question I have 
to submit for your consideration, Are Chrysanthemums 
wanted at mid-winter ? might well be answered by 
asking another and correlative question, Are flowers 
wanted at mid-winter ? But it will probably be advis¬ 
able to set forth the reasons why I consider that the 
answer should be in the affirmative. There are few 
people, I imagine, who have a taste for flowers and 
thoroughly appreciate them, who would deny the 
necessity for having them in abundance at a season of 
the year which includes the festivities of Christmas and 
New Year. At that season, as so well known, there is 
the greatest demand for flowers, and it is also a matter 
of common knowledge that they are then very scarce 
and most difficult to be had. This being the case, 
flowers at mid-winter are appreciated as flowers irre¬ 
spective of their names. Consequently Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, if they can be had at that season, are not likely 
to prove less welcome or to be less appreciated by the 
general flower lover than the flowers of any other group 
of plants that could be mentioned. This is looking at 
the question simply from a common-sense point of 
view. We might, however, look at it from another 
and sentimental standpoint—that, perhaps, from which 
the true lover and enthusiast of the Chrysanthemum 
would view the matter. 
