THE FLORIST. lb'.S 



nearest the flower-bud, which it drags as it were into its cave, and 

 murders at its leisure. Unfortunately it is more fond of work than 

 rest, and will commit sad damage unless it is checked. We find 

 the best remedy is to go round with a basket, and pick off the curled 

 leaves wherever we see them, caterpillar and all. We gave children 

 last year a penny for every 500 grubs taken in this way, and they 

 were well satisfied; for a garden of moderate size will sometimes 

 contain myriads of these pests. This we believe to be, on the whole, 

 the most effectual step to pursue ; for tobacco-water and other nos- 

 trums are of doubtful efficacy. As we hinted last month, the study 

 of entomology is highly important to gardeners, since it is only by 

 an acquaintance with the habits of insects that their increase can be 

 effectually prevented. 



The Bury, Luton. Henry Burgess. 



SEEDLING PELARGONIUM EXHIBITION 

 AT UPTON PARK. 



Considerable interest is excited in the above exhibition, to which 

 liberal contributions have been made, although it is only considered 

 as an attempt to arrive at the best mode of having something of the 

 same kind annually, and also as the best means of getting at a 

 sound judgment upon the merits of a flower, than which none more 

 beautiful or useful exists in cultivation. Whether we consider its 

 form, varied colours, beautiful texture, graceful habit in connexion 

 with agreeable foliage, or its adaptation to general ornament, from 

 the conservatory of the wealthy to the window of the cottager, it 

 stands without a rival in general utility. That the improvements 

 effected in it were the result of the generous rivalry excited by the 

 exhibition of seedlings, no one can doubt who remembers the interest 

 created in their annual appearance at the meeting of the Horticul- 

 tural Society at Chiswick, and in a less degree at those of the Royal 

 Botanical Society at Regent's Park. We say, in a less degree, be- 

 cause at the latter no place was set apart for the display of seedlings 

 alone, for which purpose at Chiswick a small tent was once appro- 

 priated. 



It is with great pleasure we see a number of amateur florists 

 seeking admission into the Horticultural Society. This is as it should 

 be ; and we believe that a pretty full expression of desire on the part 

 of those who particularly look for novelties, and are fellows of that 

 society, would result in the replacing of the seedling tent. But to 

 revert to the Upton Park show, which is to take place on the 15th 

 instant. It is a place of easy access. The Datchett station, on the 

 South-Western and Windsor line, is but a little way from it ; and 

 the same may be said of the station at Slough, on the Great- Western 

 line. The arrangements are in good hands ; and if the mode of 

 judging be novel, as an experiment it will be interesting, — for the 

 difference in opinion on the properties of the Pelargonium is very 



