FEBRUARY. 31 



NEW FLOWERS IN THE NORTH. 



The last season has not been very productive of novelties in the 

 northern counties, at least of varieties that manifest any marked 

 improvement on older kinds. Many raisers of seedlings ai)pcar 

 reluctant to exhibit their productions, and consequently flowers are 

 often sent out that have never been heard of before, and with nothing 

 but the raisers' descriptions to recommend them. No doubt in many 

 cases these may be honest ; but the known partiality which raisers 

 naturally have for their own flowers too often leads them to overrate 

 them, and the purchaser is doomed to disappointment. Amateurs 

 are therefore cautious in purchasing new varieties until their merits 

 have been tested ; the best test being, in my opinion, seedling exlii- 

 bitions. 



Those who have been In the habit of visiting collections of seed- 

 lings are well aware of the above-named partiality, and the surprise 

 manifested when the visitor is not able to echo the raiser's laudatory 

 sentiments is sometimes amusing. Some will admit the possibility 

 of their opinion being rather partial, but still stoutly contend for the 

 superiority of their own flowers, by expatiating largely on their good 

 properties, all the while appearing quite ignorant of their defects. 

 The fact is, seedling raisers become so accustomed to look for good 

 qualities in their productions, that they are sometimes quite blind to 

 glaring imperfections, which are immediately detected by the dis- 

 interested connoisseur. It would be pardonable in a nurseryman 

 giving a flattering description of his flowers, were it not for the many 

 facilities which are now afl^orded for having their character fairly 

 proved before they are sent out. 



Amongst Auriculas, Mr. George Lightbody of Falkirk has two 

 or three fine things, and particularly a seedling green-edged variety 

 named Sir John Moore. It is a fine flower ; the colours are good 

 and well proportioned ; size large, and outline circular; and whether 

 from the side or centre the pip is invariably correct. Apparently it 

 is an excellent trusser. Beestons Apollo, another of Mr. Lightbody's, 

 is well spoken of. 



Mr. John Harrison of Darlington has a few seedling Pansies 

 very promising, among which is a light-ground variety in the style 

 of Mrs. Beck ; a large circular flower, dense eye, and clear of the 

 belting. Not named when exhibited. Also a very beautiful yellow 

 Dahlia named Harrison s George Elwin. As a yellow self this is a 

 very desirable variety; shape good, and well up in the eye. It ob- 

 tained the premier prize at the Darlington Dahlia Show, and an extra 

 prize at Whitby. 



Mr. William Frankland of Whitby has a number of seedlin"- 

 Pansies of excellent properties, several of which were favourably 

 noticed last season by the Florist and Gardener s Hive. As these 

 flowers are intended to be exhibited in the s])ring, I shall not at 

 present particularise them. 



Mr. James Neilson of Falkirk is sending out three seedling Pan- 



