262 THE FLOaihT. 



cultivation of his Pinks or Pansies, to him who luxuriates amidst the 

 choicest and most extensive collections — is deeply interested in this 

 question. 



This does not seem precisely the time or place in which to pane- 

 gyrise floriculture ; but, viewed from the present stand -point, never 

 was there a better opportunity to do something great in its service. 

 Its patrons are increasing numerically beyond precedent ; its votaries 

 are lising rapidly in the social and intellectual scale; floriculture 

 itself is struggling to escape from its present unnatural position ; it 

 can no longer remain a mere appendage to horticulture ; it may 

 continue a handmaid, but not a vassal or a slave ; it is now in a 

 position to take an independent stand on the highway to greater and 

 more extended honour ; and whether it shall do this, and when it 

 shall do it, depends mainly on its own supporters. It is no use crying 

 to Hercules : the gods help those who help themselves. Floriculture 

 may be a humble companion to stand in the ranks beside Sculpture 

 and Painting. The Florist may not be able to mould at will from the 

 shapeless mass figures which shall fire the imagination, and awaken 

 those emotions w-hich give so much pleasure to the mind ; he finds 

 much already prepared to his hand ; the materials he works with 

 are not pai^sive, but active; yet he has a power over them which 

 does n( t leave his labours altogether the result of chance ; and the 

 forms he rears are also calculated to please the eye, refine the under- 

 standing, and enlarge the heart. 



But we must not extend our observations on this point. It is 

 more our purpose to direct attention to the future. Our march must 

 be progressive ; and I would suggest three means for the accom- 

 plishment of our end. 



1. Let a small plot of ground be obtained, not too far from 

 London, on which glass may be erected as the funds will allow. 

 This should be devoted to the raising of seedlings, and the testing 

 of novelties. It should be under the care of a person competent to 

 carry on the processes of artificial crossing and hybridising, and also 

 to grow the plants to their highest state of development. 



2. I would suggest that a separate exhibition for every Florist's 

 flower be given, at the time when such flower is expected to be in 

 greatest beauty, and that prizes be awarded to the most successful 

 productions. Every plant to be considered within this range that 

 produces marked variations and improvements from seed. 



3. I would also suggest that a lecture, paper, or essay be read 

 at each meeting, on the flower then exhibited, obtaining, where 

 practicable, the most distinguished cultivator of that flower to read 

 the same, or write it, to be read by the secretary. 



The first of these means, the garden, would require an increase 

 of funds ; and this we propose to obtain by an increase in the number 

 of subscribers and by donations. The second means, exhibitions, 

 would, we believe, in a little time, prove more than self-supporting. 

 The third means, lectures, would entail no additional expense on 

 the Society, but would still prove a most interesting feature. I just 

 offer these few crude thoughts, and leave them for the consideration 



