FEBRUARY. 53 



you somewhat short sighted, but to remedy that Inconvenience, behold 

 how he has favoured you.' So saying, he unloosed his portmanteau, 

 when an infinite number of spectacles tumbled out, and were picked up 

 by the crowd with all the eagerness imaginable. There were enough 

 for all : every man had his pair ; but it was soon found that these 

 spectacles did not represent objects to all mankind alike, for one pair 

 was purple, another blue, one was white and another was black : some 

 of the glasses were red, some green, and some yellow. In short they 

 were not only of all manner of colours, and every shade of colour, but 

 they had the strange property that no two of them gave the same form 

 and appearance to things seen through them. However, notwithstanding 

 this diversity, every man was charmed with his o\vn, as beheving it to 

 be the truest, and enjoyed in opinion all the satisfaction of reality." 



Now, my good sirs, you who feel a parental interest in these beloved 

 productions of your own, and who would keenly resent any slight or 

 affront put upon them, I pray you to remember, one and all of you, 

 that, although I have regarded these pets of yours with the most minute 

 observation, it has not fallen to my lot to examine them through your 

 spectacles. 



To all those from whom I may be so unfortunate as to differ, I would 

 merely observe that my conclusions have not been rashly or hastily 

 formed, but are the result of much and patient investigation. I avow 

 candidly that I feel a strong desire to assist the choice of the uninitiated : 

 the adept can and will exercise his own judgment, and is perfectly 

 capable of taking good care of himself The former may safely order 

 all or any of the flowers I have enumerated, and be certain that he has 

 not encumbered himself with a worthless variety. ]\Iy task would be 

 supererogatory could I persuade myself that no Dahhas deserving that 

 epithet will be sent out in the ensuing season. That were indeed a 

 " consummation devoutly to be wished." Should it be realised, the year 

 1855 will prove a memorable one, in truth an annus mirabilU in the 

 records of floriculture. 



With that word "floriculture," good and much-enduring reader, did 

 I purpose to conclude this article ; but even as I traced the letters 

 which go to its formation, the last stroke of twelve from the old church 

 tower above me sounded the knell of a departed year ; and while the 

 ink is yet moist, a joyous peal from the same tower heralds the birth 

 of another. As rapidly, my replenished quill again skims the surface 

 of the paper ; but not again to tax your sorely-tried if not exhausted 

 patience. Guided by a kindlier impulse, its mission is accomplished by 

 the simple record of my sincere aspiration, on your behalf, for 

 "A Happy New Year!" 



January 1, 1855. A. S. H. 



THE FLUKE KIDNEY POTATO. 



Having ourselves proved this excellent variety of Potato, we feel justi- 

 fied, and shall be doing gooi service to our readers and the pubhc, by 

 recommending it to all who cultivate the Potato, whether for private 

 use or for market purposes. In our own neighbourhood (Wiltshire) 



