THE FLORIST. 301 



dred — pass into the possession of such as can house it any where 

 but in a sitting-room ? And though the Calceolaria, the Fuchsia, 

 the Cineraria, and especially the Petunia, are very well in their way, 

 I think the nurserymen will tell you that, as a body, we are agreed 

 in our judgment, and value the Pelargonium at about (for I do not 

 pretend to exactness) five times as much as all the others put to°-e- 

 ther. 



And there is another reason for the preference shewn by " the 

 masses" for the Pelargonium (and the masses are no bad judges of 

 flowers, if you take their votes as the Romans did, by centuries), 

 and that reason the very one that has made individual writers so 

 highly extol the winter-blooming plants, namely, the season at which 

 it comes into flower. Ask any nurseryman what is the time of year 

 that potted flowering-plants are most eagerly sought by purchasers, 

 and you will find it to be the season when the Pelargonium reigns 

 supreme. The interest in potted flowers comparatively flags as soon 

 as we begin to have them out of doors, nor does it fully recover itself 

 till after the season of rest — the winter. I am willing to be counted 

 a bad prophet if Pelargoniums at all fail in general interest till some 

 better spring florists' flower is developed, and of that there are as 

 yet no signs; or in interest to the connoisseur, as long as such 

 seedlings are in store for us as I have been privileged to see open 

 in 1849. 



But you seem to doubt whether you can say any more upon 

 them. I will cite you an authority upon the point, which may help 

 to dispel your doubts. I lately saw a mother, whom no one could 

 see without admiration, and several of her younger children poring 

 with childish glee upon a portfolio of pictures outspread upon her 

 knees, or hanging with earnest attention upon the accents of her 

 lips, while she recited over each pictorial group its appropriate 

 legend. All the stories were amusing, all admired in their turn. 

 But one (if my memory does not mislead me it was Hop-o'-my- 

 thumb,) was evidently the most popular, where all were pleasing. 

 And ever, as the course of instruction led farther and farther away, 

 the little voices joined in petition to revert to their favourite. And 

 though the patience of the mother was once strained so far as to 

 say, " What, again !" yet her goodnature led her without weari- 

 ness to repeat the ever welcome ditty, which always brought the 

 reward of a smile of approving thanks. Is it necessary to apply 

 this ? If you will represent the mother, and call the Pelargonium 

 Hop-o'-my-thumb, we will do our duty by playing the part of the 

 children. 



October 5th. G. J. 



