282 



THE FLORIST. 



or they will be weak and pale, as before stated. Observation is the 

 best guide in all these matters." 



It is found that, in the majority of cases, the flower-stem requires 

 artificial supports, although we confess we believe that superior culti- 

 vation will obviate such an application. A Hyacinth in the open 

 border will not require it, and from such we must infer that artificial 

 treatment alone renders such necessary. At page 13 of the Practical 

 Hints is a woodcut representing an improved glass with support at- 

 tached, which merits attention. The design of the glass is certainly 

 a great improvement on the old shape, and will not be out of place 

 on the table of those who appreciate beauty of design in the useful 

 as well as the ornamental. Of the treatment of the bulbs after flower- 

 ing, so as to render them creditable, " if not equal to the first season" 

 of flowering, the following is given : 



" Many bulbs are rendered utterly worthless by careless treatment 

 after they have done blooming ; whereas fine blooms, if not equal to 

 the first season, may be relied upon if treated in the following manner : 

 — The moment the flowers begin to decay, remove them from the 

 glasses, and plant them in good rich compost, consisting of three 

 parts of good decayed turf, and one each of well-rotted cow-dung and 

 sand. Let the flowers and leaves die off before taking up the bulbs ; 

 and do not on any account cut them off" when green, as this greatly 

 impoverishes the bulb." 



In the pot-culture of Hyacinths, as w^ell as in that of glasses, a 

 thorough root-action must be procured before the stimulants to growth 

 in the leaves and flowers are applied, or failure will assuredly follow. 

 Of the " properties" of the flowers we say nothing ; the present arti- 

 cle has been penned for those who love a flower for its beauty, and 

 not for the shape of the petals, or the length of its foot-stalk. 



G. L. 



NATIONAL FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Oct. 9. — Mr. Stains in the chair. Hollyhocks were furnished by 

 Mr, Clarke; Dahlias by Messrs. Bragg, Pope, Rawlings, and Drum- 

 mond. Three nice Fuchsias came from Air. Dobson, of Woodlands 

 Nursery, Isleworth, and some good Petunias from Mr. Gadd. A first- 

 class certificate was awarded to Mr. Drummond of Bath, for a very 

 beautiful Statice, apparently a cross between S.imbricata and S. ma- 

 crophylla. The same raiser also received a certificate for a bright 

 scarlet Dahlia called Bob Drummond. It was well-shaped ; but in 

 the flowers exhibited, the centre appeared to be scarcely sufficiently 

 elevated. Two new members were added to the lists, and two more 

 were proposed for election at the next meeting. 



November 13. — Mr. Hoyle in the chair. A certificate of merit was 

 awarded to a Chrysanthemum named Versailles Defiance, a rosy 

 lilac-coloured variety, of good form, and broad in the petal ; Pentste- 

 mon variabilis received a label of commendation. It is a promising 

 geenish-white flowered kind, tipped and marked with cherry ; both 



