266 THE FLORIST. 



longer. But it would appear from reports of shows held in Lancashire, 

 which is looked upon as the home of the Aurjeula, that the system of 

 showing turns upon two points — the quality of the edges, and the size 

 of the individual pip ; the character of the plant and the beauty of the 

 truss are left out of sight, and hence a long-legged flower like imperator, 

 and faulty in many other respects, takes the lead over many a better 

 flower, while to effect this a truss is often reduced to two or three pips. 

 They, on the contrary, accuse us in the south of sacrificing every- 

 thing to colour, and ridicule the idea of our new flowers coming into 

 competition with the older varieties. Florists know that this is not the 

 only point on which " North and South" disagree. Pinks with two 

 rows of petals, little better than a single Dianthus, were in favour with 

 one ; while mops with no regularity were said to be the thing in the 

 south. Again, Tulips, in the north, were once only looked at for colour, 

 and a stained bottom was not thought fit for rejection. Intercourse (so 

 facilitated by railways) has led to juster views on these points ; and so 

 I cannot but think if we were able to bring north and south together 

 on an Auricula stage, we should do good service to the cause. I do not 

 by any means wish to lower the taste, but I do want to see somewhat 

 more liberal views taken, and specially in this matter of the edges. 

 Very similar is the division amongst Dahlias into show flowers and 

 fancies ; it is only the dealers in them that can rightly determine which 

 is which. I do not desire therefore to see such a flower as Lancashire 

 Hero or Chapman's Maria despised as a "Mongrel" or a " Chaney" 

 nor do I want bad-shaped, or thrum-eyed, or dirty-eyed flowers 

 recognised as leading varieties. Some growers say those flowers I have 

 named are only fit for the dung-heap, while others laud them up as the 

 perfection of an Auricula. I am not, however, without allies who take 

 my view of the question, and I should be very glad to have the matter 

 talked over and entered into practically. I have, therefore, a proposition 

 to make — that an Auricula Exhibition be held in London in April next, 

 somewhere about the 20th ; and that, as it would be desirable to avoid 

 expense as much as possible, the Royal Botanic Society be solicited to 

 allow it to take place at one of their spring shows, the rules, &c, to be 

 determined on as soon as we can see our way clear into the matter. 

 The circle of growers is of course circumscribed (though I am in great 

 hopes that it is widely increasing), and therefore we do not expect to 

 offer very great prizes ; this will, however, be entirely regulated by the 

 number of subscribers and amount subscribed. I should be glad, 

 therefore, if any who are interested in the growth of this lovely flower 

 would be good enough to communicate with me, to the office of the 

 Florist, addressed as " D.," and I would feel obliged if, at the same time, 

 they would give their opinion on the following points : — 



1 . Whether the time and place are considered desirable. 



2. What should be the style of showing. 



3. (Important !) What amount they would subscribe for the purpose. 



My own stock is so small, and my time so limited, that I shall not 

 (most likely) be able to exhibit, but I shall be very glad to take any 

 trouble in the matter that I can ; if it outgrows my capabilities, I must 



