164 THE FLORIST. 



great. We hope for a large contribution of seedlings, and a large 

 attendance of raisers. If difficulties should arise about settling the 

 prizes, we have a warrant in the names and characters of the pro- 

 moters of the exhibition that they will be satisfactorily overcome. 



We may mention, in passing from the subject, that the seedling 

 competition forms only a part of a general horticultural exhibition, 

 to be held at the place and time appointed. 



N.B. Full particulars of the seedling exhibition will be found 

 in our advertising pages. 



IMPROVEMENT OF THE POLYANTHUS. 



It has always been a source of much astonishment to me, that so few 

 really fine Polyanthuses have been raised, considering the very great 

 quantity of seed annually sown. 



The thought has struck me, in looking over my own beds of 

 seedlings, that it arises in a great measure from the selection of 

 improper varieties from which to raise seed, and at the same time 

 always " breeding in and in," or, in other words, allowing the flowers 

 to fertilise themselves. Any one at all conversant with these 

 flowers knows that, unless the stigma, or female organ, is well 

 covered by the thrums, or anthers, florists consider it a serious 

 drawback. If, then, the stigma is out of sight, hidden by the 

 male organs, I contend it is difficult " to cross the flower," for in 

 nine cases out of ten it is previously done with its own farina. 

 Now the " pin-eyed flower" offers no such difficulty. Though it 

 may be perfection itself in point of shape, the lacing all that the 

 most fastidious could wish, the body-colour well proportioned, and 

 the yellow or ground-colour of the most brilliant character, yet, with 

 all these points in its favour, if the stigma unfortunately protrudes, 

 it is by the critical florist mercilessly destroyed. 



I have now seedlings of this description ; some, with the ground- 

 colour of the most vivid scarlet, others as dark as the blackest vel- 

 vet, in fact I look upon them as forerunners of improvement, and it 

 is to these I would direct the amateur on which to experiment : here 

 there is no difficulty ; the stigma stands prominently forward, and 

 by crossing with farina from other flowers of the best quality, I am 

 certain much improvement would speedily be the result. How many 

 of what are considered our best Polyanthuses are eminently faulty ! 

 For instance, in the list of the best sorts named by Mr. John Holland, 

 in the April Number, Alexander is coarse and uncertain ; Bang Europe 

 bleaches on the lace long before the flower fades ; Fletcher's De- 

 fiance is also similarly defective ; Lord Crew (Lakin's), the yellow or 

 ground-colour is much too large in proportion to the body-colour ; 

 Lord John Russell, which I believe to be synonymous with Hufton's 

 Earl Grey, is termed " foxy," that is, a tinge between the body and 

 ground colours, wanting decision of character ; Collier's Princess 

 Royal is apt to sport in the number of segments in the corolla, some 



