DECEMBER. 269 



marking, and broad petal of Ophelia ? Who is there who will not 

 agree with me, that their merits have not been sufficiently dilated upon? 

 and who does not wish our classic Florist would be more *' chatty" 

 upon the beauties of her favourites ? Giulio Romano, Hogarth, 

 Mary, and Grace Darling have sustained the repute which preceded 

 them. Ringleader, S. B., a northern variety, is a flower of good 

 shape, fine colours, and much refinement, and will be appreciated 

 when more known. Of flowers which are now being off"ered, the 

 following are indispensable to all who wish to obtain a leading place 

 at the forthcoming competitions, viz. General Monk, C.B., Lady 

 Macbeth, Red Picotee, heavy edged ; Bridesmaid, light-purple edged ; 

 Haidee, light-purple edged, and Victoria Regina, heavy rose or scarlet- 

 edged. 1 have just said, who is there who does not .wish the Florist 

 would describe more at length the beauties of our favourites ? and 

 must confess myself fairly caught in my own trap ; for how can they 

 be described } \ can merely say that General Monk, though diftering 

 in the shade of its colours with Jenny Lind, has a purer white, and 

 is in every other respect equal to the best flowers known. Lady 

 Macbeth excels Mrs. Norman in its greater density of colour, and 

 freedom from the slightest spot or bar. Haidee and Bridesmaid it 

 would be difficult to speak too highly of : for symmetry, regularity 

 of marking, exquisite purity, and form of petal, they are unrivalled. 

 Victoria Regina is the sweetest rose in existence ; wherever seen in 

 proper character, it will have no rival. Other flowers most deserving, 

 and which will be found in the best selections, are Acca, S. F., Bene- 

 dict, R. F., Friar Lawrence, R. F., Magnificent, R. F., Poor Tom, 

 R. F. ; and in Picotees, red-edged : Ann, Bellona, Lavinia. Purple- 

 edged : Bianca, Countess, Diadem. Rose-edged: Calliope, Julia, Ro- 

 salind, and Unexpected. 



Of old flowers, the following have been the best : S. B., Ad- 

 miral Curzon, Lord Lewisham ; C. B., Black Diamond, Duncan, 

 Jenny Lind, Lord Milton, Owen Glendower, Queen Victoria ; P. B., 

 Princess, Prince Albert, Sarah Payne ; P. F., Beauty of Woodhouse, 

 Perfection, Premier, Squire Meynell, Squire Trow ; S. F., Cradley 

 Pet, Firebrand. Justice Shallow, Queen Victoria ; R. F., Antonio, 

 Ariel, Flora's Garland, Haidee, Lorenzo, Lovely Ann, Lady Ely, 

 Madame Sontag, Princess Royal, and Romeo. Red Picotees : King 

 James, Isabella, Prince of Wales, Elizabeth. Purple-edged : Alfred, 

 King of Purples, Lady H. Moore, Lord Nelson, Princess Helena. 

 Rose-edged : Mrs. Barnard, Green's Queen, and Venus. There has 

 been no lack of new faces during the season. Not to note the hosts 

 of seedlings of Mr. May's and Mr. Puxley's, as yet confined to the 

 Royal Nursery, I have seen many of much promise from various 

 quarters. These will be described in future years ; but I must except 

 from this present obhvion Mr. Bay ley's Heavy Purple, of the largest 

 size, broad in the petal, finely formed, unspotted in the white, and 

 margined deeply with a lovely purple ; it is quite worthy the noble 

 name which has been conferred upon it. Turner's Miss Puxley is 

 a fine light or medium-edged rose ; and a sweet rose of Mr. Adams' 

 will be a welcome addition to this class. 



