52 THE FLORIST. 



elaborate notice. I am acquainted with four only really deserving of 

 patronage. Of these it may be remarked, generally, that they are all 

 good, all dissimilar, and will all prove welcome acquisitions to those who 

 admire the brilliant eccentricities of this motley tribe. 



1. iMiss Frampton. (Rawlings.) Bright red tipped with white ; an 

 exceedingly neat and well built flower, with good centre ; constant, if 

 frequency of appearance be any test of that quality ; it exhibits, on the 

 whole, a decided advancement upon any of its class. 



2. Baron Alderson. (Perry.) A novelty ; colour pecuHar orange 

 scarlet, with clear and well defined white tips, considerably above the 

 average size ; petals of good form and well arranged ; centre close, full, 

 and well up to the surface. 



3. Comfit. (Keynes.) A striped variety, cream colour and crimson 

 shaded with pink ; a neat and well formed flower of moderate size, 

 considerable depth, and good centre. 



4. Miss Herbert. (Dodds.) Ground colour not easily defined, but not 

 very unlike that of Laura Lavington ; the white tips, however, appear 

 to be better and more constantly developed ; if such belts general character, 

 it must certainly be deemed an improvement on the older variety. 



I have selected barely a score from the very large number of seedling 

 Dahlias exhibited during the past season. I can testify only of those I 

 have seen ; and I am not aware of having omitted to notice any that 

 seem worthy of especial consideration. There may be some few others, 

 unknown to me, whose merits entitle them to a place in the list. I 

 can only regret I have not had the opportunity of examining them. 

 With regard to the relative places I have assigned to each, 1 cannot 

 expect to have arrived at anything beyond an approximation to the 

 truth ; and I am quite prepared to hear that my attempt in that direction 

 meets with universal reprobation. Yes, I can very readily anticipate 

 the running commentary, with which the raisers of these flowers — each 

 in his individual case — will enliven the reading of these otherwise dull 

 lines. It will be something to this effect." Verily this 'A. S. H.' whoever 

 be may be, is taking a little too much upon himself; and yet, confound 

 the fellow ! his general view of the matter is by no means erroneous. 

 It is only suprising he should be so blind in two or three particulars ; 

 as not to discern, for instance, that D is superior to A, and that the 

 positions of C and H ought to be reversed." Well, well, this is all very 

 natural, if not very reasonable ; and I can perfectly understand and ap- 

 preciate the feeling. 0, what an arena of perfection this world of ours 

 would he, if the extraordinary qualities we are apt to attach to our own 

 productions were viewed by others through the same medium as that 

 through which we ourselves behold them ! I cannot refrain from tran- 

 scribing a very old fable from a very old author, written, evidently, 

 with the purpose of illustrating how strangely mankind differ in their 

 opinions ; and how strongly each is attached to his own. 



" Jupiter one day enjoying himself over a bowl of nectar,and in a merry 

 humour, determined to make mankind a present. Momus was ap- 

 pointed to carry it to them, who, mounted on a rapid car, was presently 

 on earth. ' Come hither,' said he, ' ye happy mortals ; great Jupiter 

 has opened for your benefit his all-gracious hands. It is true he made 



