108 THE FLORIST. 



A WELL-KNOWN "SPOT." 



Passing through Piccadilly a short time back, we paid a visit to that 

 once oft-frequented spot — the warehouse of the Pubhshers of the 

 Florist mid Garden Miscellany, and with a natural instinct walked to 

 the place where the current Number of your Miscellany stands ready 

 for delivery ; and it was with great pleasure we saw but a small pile, 

 learnt that the sale had increased, and that there w^as constant in- 

 quiry for what, in publishers' phrase, is called " Jan. Feb." — which 

 the uninitiated may learn means the two first Nos, of the present 

 year. Having descended from the superintendence of the work, 

 and taken our place amongst the subscribers and occasional con- 

 tributors, we now enjoy all the advantages which a looker-on upon 

 a game is said to possess over the players themselves. And truly 

 it is a pleasant exchange. But even this situation has its duties, 

 and we feel it incumbent upon us, now that we are entirely disin- 

 terested parties, to state as fully as ever we did when in office, that 

 the beauty and excellence of the work depends upon its subscribers 

 inore than on any one else. If they choose to exert themselves to 

 increase their number, they will place greater funds at the proprie- 

 tor's disposal, with which to purchase literary assistance, as well as 

 to provide additional illustrations in the shape of woodcuts or coloured 

 plates. It is very easy to say, " Supply these, and the increased sale 

 will soon repay the increased expense." But there is a virtue termed 

 prudence, which if neglected will lead to results which must fall on 

 the proprietor only ; and since it is not carried on for a bookselling 

 profit, he does wisely to act on the homely phrase, " to cut his coat 

 according to his cloth." 



When the w'ork was first established, w^e hoped it would have 

 proved the medium of very general communication amongst Florists 

 for recording interesting facts, &c.; but in this we have been much 

 disappointed. This, we think, arises from the dislike of penning 

 them down and forwarding them to the editor; for we well know 

 how much there is to be contributed of this kind. It w^ould greatly 

 add to the value of the monthly Number, if the results of experiments 

 were given, the effect of certain kinds of weather reported, or the par- 

 ticular treatment of individual plants recorded. No single person can 

 do this ; it should be done by all who are interested in floriculture. 



For ourselves, we have been, and are at this time, attempting to 

 '* spot" some Pelargoniums by a variety of means, to see if we can 

 discover the cause of this desperate disease. Hitherto exposure to 

 cold rains and nights, after coming directly out of the greenhouse, 

 during the latter part of last year, has been ineffectual to produce it. 

 Neither have we been more successful by placing them in the heat 

 of the sun, after remaining in a cold wind and shade, and when sod- 

 dened with water. Now, it is experiments of this kind that we fancy 

 would be found useful, and they can be so easily m^de that it is really 

 worth while to attempt it. These excursive remarks are not intended 

 as reflections on any one ; but are penned with a desire to encourage 

 the subscribers to interest themselves in the advancement of the 

 Florist and Garden Miscellany. Edward Beck. 



