142 THE FLORIST. 



profusely, as to be very short-lived ; but if its shoots are thinned 

 out, and shortened to about half their length annually, it will give 

 abundance of its charming flowers, and remain in vigour for many 

 years. The Double Ispahan Peach (P. ispahanensis flore pleno) is a 

 pretty variety of the above, with slender graceful shoots and narrow 

 leaves. It will not form so large a tree, but is a variety well worthy 

 of cultivation. Veritas. 



OPINIONS GIVEN ON FLOWERS FROM EXAMINATION OF 

 SINGLE PIPS OR TRUSSES. 



On the cover of the last Number the editor said wisely and well, 

 that " a very imperfect opinion of the merits of a plant can be 

 formed from single or picked flowers." Every one acquainted with 

 the subject will readily agree to this. His memory will serve to 

 remind him of many a seedling that has opened with great promise, 

 and for whose reappearance in bloom he has impatiently waited the 

 following season — only to be entirely disappointed ; or his recollec- 

 tion may tell of flowers that, just at one short-lived period of expan- 

 sion, have been all that he could desire, and yet whose beauties 

 have all vanished after that point was passed. I remember a striking 

 instance, the relation of which will fully support what is here said. 

 One morning, in looking over some two-year old seedling Pelar- 

 goniums, I was particularly struck with a single flower of exquisite 

 beauty of colour, in combination with very good form. I imme- 

 diately cut the truss, and forwarded it in a round-about way, as I 

 always have done, to The Florist office. In the afternoon I was 

 unexpectedly gratified in seeing my late friend Mr. Fox in our 

 garden, w<ho soon produced the flower in question, and handing it 

 to me, looked for the expression of my admiration. " I think I can 

 match that flower," said I ; and taking him into the house, and 

 pointing to a number of dull, flat-coloured blooms, " The one you 

 have is a fresh flower," I remarked ; " but these were as good at the 

 same point of opening." He could only think me joking ; but as I 

 preserved my seriousness, and continued to repeat the opinion, he ex- 

 claimed at last, that I must have some affection of the eye that pre- 

 vented my seeing aright. At last he said? with earnestness, " Do you 

 really believe what you say ?" " Yes," I added, " and for this reason, 

 that the flower in your hand was cut from this very plant, and I w T ished 

 to give you a striking proof of the worthlessness of opinions pro- 

 nounced upon flowers unless seen in numbers or upon the plants 

 themselves." We then fell into conversation upon the plan of for- 

 warding flowers for opinion, its use or the contrary ; and were 

 mutually agreed that, as a means of informing raisers of their merits 

 or demerits compared with varieties already in cultivation, such 

 opinions were most valuable ; but as a means of directing purchasers 

 they were worthless. And this view I was enabled to confirm by 

 several examples of Roses, Pansies, Petunias, &c, single flowers of 



