146 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
But while so much has been effected in the way of improvement, 
a great deal yet remains to be done, ere we dare hope to see a 
pansy which in every point will bear the rigid scrutiny of a thorough 
judge. So many concurrent circumstances are requisite to a 
perfect pansy, that, in my opinion, all which have as yet presented 
themselves are more or less defective. If, indeed, we judge by 
comparison with older varieties, we shall be struck with the com- 
parative perfection of many recent ones; but if we form in our 
mind the model of a perfect pansy, we shall find the best in exist¬ 
ence fall short of our standard. What is gained in size is often 
lost in shape ; or if these qualities are both present, a defective 
arrangement of colour, a confused eye, or a crumpled edge, is 
apparent, to counterbalance any superiority that the flower may 
otherwise possess. 
Florists are pretty generally agreed on the qualities which are 
desirable in a pansy : the following hints upon the subject may, 
however, be interesting and useful to some of our readers. 
The first and most important quality is shape or form : this is 
perfect, when a pencil drawn round the outer edges of the petals 
would describe, on a sheet of paper, a perfect circle. 
The second desideratum is a due proportion between the several 
petals. Not unfrequently the shape of a pansy may be tolerably 
circular, while, nevertheless, the lower petal or lip, or even the 
upper petals, are disproportionably small or large. The eye 
must be our guide in determining this point of qualification ; and 
let it ever be borne in mind, that, in the lower petal, a depth and 
width proportionate to the back and centre petals, are essential to 
perfection. Perhaps the next points in importance are, flatness 
of the petals and smoothness of the edge. When the petals curl 
up it is a great defect, and rough jagged edges are sufficient to 
condemn any flower which is tried by the full standard of perfec¬ 
tion. The arrangement of colours now remains to be considered ; 
and if, in addition to the points already enumerated, this be satis- 1 
factory, in our judgment the pansy is perfect. Size is of course 
a desideratum ; and without a certain proportion of this quality, a 
pansy is quite valueless to the exhibitor ; but certainly this quality 
is not essential to the perfection of the flower. A small pansy 
may be as perfect a flower as a larger one,—the size of the latter 
being an additional and invaluable excellence, and not a funda¬ 
mental constituent of its perfection; just as the person of a 
