THE FLORIST. 



TO THE READERS OF THE FLORIST. 



As I considered the closing Number of the first Volume of The Florist 

 a befitting time to review the stewardship of its conductor and edi- 

 tors, so also do I think the commencement of a new one a seasonable 

 opportunity for addressing its supporters ; a word therefore, amongst 

 ourselves, in respect to our own future conduct and duties, as well 

 as our interests. 



In respect to our conduct, it becomes us, I conceive, in a simple 

 spirit of fairness and candour, to reflect on the position in which a 

 few amateurs are placed, who, impressed with the sole desire of pro- 

 moting the progress and the science of floriculture to a higher stand- 

 ard, have incurred vast responsibility and labour, as well as a ne- 

 cessarily great pecuniary outlay, for the accomplishment of such 

 a laudable design. 



But one moment's reflection will, to every honourable mind, 

 point out, determine, and impel the right course of action and con- 

 duct ; since the position of the conductors differs wholly from that 

 in which an individual writes a book or journal for the purpose of , 

 his own profit, advantage, or fame. In such example, the author is 

 bound himself to supply the matter of instruction, as an equivalent 

 for the pecuniary benefit he reaps. But the conductor and editors 

 of The Florist are gentlemen of whom we have no right to expect 

 that they should sue or wait for favours and literary support, which 

 are to benefit, not themselves, but others ; or, at most, but to pro- 

 mote the interests of a science, in the progress of which they feel 

 deeply concerned. They say to us, in fact : There is need for the 

 establishment of an illustrated work of high order, which shall afford 

 a faithful portraiture of the new and really deserving flowers which, 

 from time to time, are produced by florists ; a work which shall also 

 be a meet and respectable medium for the intercommunication of 

 knowledge and instruction between florists and amateurs, and all 

 who feel interest in the subject. We, for the love of the art, 

 and for the attainment of the object, will cheerfully undertake all 

 the labour and responsibility of the publication ; do you but support 

 your own work with your own pecuniary and literary contributions, 

 and make it known in your own circle of acquaintance, that a journal 

 worthy of its high object may flourish. 



This statement so simply and plainly sets forth what our duty 

 is to the promoters of the work and to ourselves, that it would be 

 mere redundancy of words further to urge the subject; for it im- 

 plies, that we should not be mere readers of its pages, but should 

 also contribute to their contents. On general principle, indeed, it 

 is a duty which we owe to our fellow-men, to communicate, for their 

 benefit, that knowledge which we ourselves possess ; and doubtless, 

 to many of the supporters of The Florist, such becomes an agreeable 

 exercise, as well as a relaxation from the more severe duties of busy 

 life, — a pleasure in which I wish others would more freely parti- 

 cipate. 



