56 THE FLORIST. 



evil principally arises from their not availing themselves of the advan- 

 tages of shewing their productions at the great metropolitan horti- 

 cultural /eYe^, where all the best things are expected to be exhibited ; 

 and which, if so exhibited, would then undoubtedly be noticed ac- 

 cording to their respective merits. Still it strikes me that some 

 more central place of exhibition is required, as the chief means of 

 reforming the matters complained of. 



That " spirit of exclusiveness," so broadly hinted at by many, 

 cannot, however, have any reference to the Florist, a work " open to 

 all, and influenced by none," in whose pages every contributor, be 

 he from the north or from the south, from the east or from the west, 

 finds free admission and a hearty welcome, so long as his object is 

 purely the promotion of floriculture by honesty and impartiality ; to 

 this the Editor is inviting you monthly. 



Many of our Northern Florists, I must admit, are too much in the 

 habit of acting like the carman in the fable, uttering their prayers 

 to Jupiter, without ever putting their own shoulder to the wdieel. 

 I would say to these : " If you excel in the cultivation of any par- 

 ticular flower, impart that knowledge to the Florist, for the benefit 

 of Florists in general and amateurs in particular, and to you will be 

 the reward. If you succeed in raising a good thing, seek also to 

 make it know^n by all legitimate means in your power." 



I will make a beginning for you, as far as 1 have the materials. 

 During the last season I visited several horticultural exhibitions in 

 the North; and the following are my notes of a few good things 

 which I have seen, and expect will be sent out this next spring. 



AURICULAS. 



Surpass Blucher (Willison). A fine green-edged variety ; ground- 

 colour, rich bluish purple ; the eye pure white, good paste and circu- 

 lar ; thrum good and well up ; the green of the most vivid hue found 

 in the Auricula, and well defined ; perfectly flat, and fine truss. Its 

 defects are in the segments being a little too pointed ; the pip is 

 not so round as Dickson's Matilda, and some varieties ; in other re- 

 spects an excellent flower. 



Ne-plus-ultra (Willison). An Alpine of superior properties ; 

 colour, deep rich velvetty crimson ; eye and tube of a clear yellow, 

 both circular, and the latter well filled with anthers ; segments stout 

 and smooth on the edge ; outline complete. A very rich flower. 



The above were commended by the Florist, under head, " Seedling 

 Florists* Flowers." Let out by Mr. Willison of Whitby. 



DAHLIAS. 



Champion (Edward) . A very superior flower ; good size and 

 perfect outline ; deep crimson, or maroon, of great depth, with ex- 

 cellently formed petals. Obtained the premier prize at the Dahlia 

 show in York, as the best of any colour. 



Magnificent (Edward). Colour, fine rich rosy purple of great 

 brilliancy, form excellent, centre good ; depth of florets amply sufli- 



