118 THE FLORIST. 



NATIONAL FL0RICUTU11AL SOCIETY. 



We regret to have to record the decease, by atrophy, of a most 

 respectable member of the floricultural world, the National Floricultural 

 Society ; and the regret is somewhat increased by a knowledge of the 

 tact, that the disease under which it sunk was partly occasioned by 

 neglect, Nothing could have been more promising than the circum- 

 stances under which it was ushered into life. The most experienced 

 physicians (floricultural) were in attendance ; and a nurse of long 

 experience, who was well acquainted with all its little wants, kindly 

 undertook to superintend its progress. For a while, all went on well. 

 Being essentially a vegetarian, it was well supplied with an abundance 

 of sound and varied food — the newest and choicest delicacies were brought 

 before it ; and so particular had it become, that when once it had pro- 

 nounced anything to be very nice, people were always glad to get a bit 

 of it for themselves. But by degrees the supplies began to fall off, there 

 were some country cousins, on whose support it very much relied, 

 and these failed in forwarding the necessary means ; and so after 

 struggling for awhile against opposing interests, and lukewarm friends, 

 it has very steadily refused all further nourishment, and has departed. 

 In plain language, the country nurserymen did not sufficiently see 

 how manifestly it was in their interest to support it, for it gave to 

 them a guarantee that the new flowers were not all dependent on the 

 description for their worth — a certificate from the National Society being 

 of course much in its favour. The society has existed for years, has 

 held a large number of meetings, and done much good to floriculture ; 

 but as the Botanic Society has instituted spring shows, and offered 

 prizes for seedlings, the need of it is not now so apparent as it was ; 

 and unlike many societies, who when they are going down in the 

 world, still catch like "drowning men at straws," and get head over 

 ears into debt, and then call on a sympathising public to help them 

 out, the " National" has very wisely left off with a balance in hand, 

 and will transfer it to some benevolent purpose connected with gar- 

 dening. We must now bid it farewell ; plant a weeping Cypress over 

 its grave, and as we leave it, say Sic transit gloria. 



TO AURICULA GROWERS. 



The following letter has in some mysterious manner reached me, and 

 I hesitate not to lay it before you for your favourable consideration : — 

 Sir, — Some members of my family (which you are aware is not a 

 very large one, like those parvenus, the Verbenas, &c.) say that they 

 have had the pleasure of your accuiaintance for a very long period ; 

 indeed, respect for your feelings inclines me to hide from your eye the 

 figures which they have given me as marking the number of years ; 

 and they therefore think that I may, without fear of being considered 

 impertinent, say that they regard with much satisfaction the evident 

 interest you and others take in our welfare, and they feel this the 



