O THE FLORIST. 



ciently advanced in growth to be ready for transplanting, when at 

 this period no marked difference is discernible between those saved 

 from the Yellow Picotee and other classes ; this circumstance, 

 however, must not lead the cultivator to suppose that less care is 

 requisite, but, on the contrary, a more watchful attention is necessary. 

 The influence of summer will naturally produce a generous growth, 

 and yet a brief space of time will suffice to dispel the illusion, and 

 prove their vigorous appearance to be unnatural, and by no means 

 to be considered a criterion of hardiness : autumnal rains, and the 

 usually humid atmosphere, often succeeded by frosty nights, will 

 prove a severer test than any hitherto experienced ; and it will be 

 then perceived whether they can maintain the same healthy appear- 

 ance under these changes. Another circumstance is familiar to every 

 raiser of this class of florists' flowers, that seedling plants exhibit a 

 luxuriance of growth the first season which rarely occurs afterwards ; 

 to imagine, therefore, that the seedlings will be sufficiently hardy to 

 endure the changes of our climate, planted out as others usually are, 

 will be to foster a fallacy, and tend to disappointment, as well as 

 destroy all chance of success. It is essentially necessary that a dry 

 situation be selected, and air given on all favourable opportunities; 

 wintering the seedlings in pots well drained, and using a light sandy 

 soil, also being prepared with protection against sudden frost, and 

 the usually humid atmosphere prevalent during the months of No- 

 vember and December, are precautions to be borne in mind, in order 

 to ensure successful cultivation, until a hardier constitution be at- 

 tained than the one which characterises the present race. 



The enthusiastic cultivator must not expect his efforts to be suc- 

 cessful, or his expectations realised, with the first experiment ; " per- 

 severance" must be his motto, for perfection is not attained at one 

 step. The serrated edge and irregular marking have to be removed, 

 and the motley assemblage of colours reduced, whilst, in their stead, 

 is to be substituted a rose petal, with the colour confined to its edge, 

 which must necessarily be a work of time. If, however, one point 

 only be attained, and that a perceptible improvement, the cultivator 

 may take his stand among the successful competitors for future honour 

 ■ — a circumstance sufficient for renewed exertions. 



I am willing to hope that the uncertain style of marking peculiar 

 to this class of flowers may not prove universal ; but possibly some 

 new variety may be originated, which will be found to advance a 

 little beyond the present race ; and if possessing a petal approximat- 

 ing to the white-ground class, it will be a desirable one from which 

 to save seed. 



Having proceeded thus far, I conceive the following plan, under 

 distinct heads, will be eligible for the purpose I have in view : — 



First. — Saving seed from Yellow Selfs, hybridised with the Yel- 

 low Picotee ; and, for experiment's sake, reversing the 

 parents whenever it will not have a tendency to reduce 

 colour. 



Secondly. — From two Yellow Picotees. 



