OCTOBER. 233 



GRAND TRIAL EXHIBITIONS 



OF CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES, OPEN TO ALL ENGLAND. 



Many of our readers, having read the report of these exhibi- 

 tions at page 213, and made themselves acquainted with the 

 names of the winners, of the flowers exhibited, and the general 

 results, have dismissed the matter from their minds, without 

 sufficiently reflecting upon the objects the promoters had in 

 view, or the trouble and expense entailed upon many of them. 

 It is our duty, therefore, to bid many reflect upon these things, 

 and to query with themselves whether or not they are doing 

 their duty, either to floriculture or its promoters, or to them- 

 selves, by merely looking on, and availing themselves of the 

 advantages, without coming forward on these occasions with 

 their assistance in time and purse. It has been an unceasing 

 matter of regret with us to observe the apathy shewn by many 

 who are the most deeply interested parties in every thing 

 which tends to promote an increased taste for floricultural 

 productions. We are unwilling to attribute this to selfish- 

 ness ; we would rather hope it arises from a want of due 

 consideration of all the bearings of the subject. When we 

 attended personally at Slough, and saw the pains and expense 

 bestowed upon the preparations for the exhibition by Mr. 

 Turner, and his liberal provision for the comfort and refresh- 

 ment of the exhibitors and visitors, we certainly felt, as Florists, 

 deeply indebted to him ; and from the accounts we have received, 

 through our personal acquaintance, and our excellent con- 

 temporary the Midland Florist, our Derby friends were not a 

 whit behindhand in their attentions and hospitality. 



It was a miserable morning, to be sure, when we started for 

 Slough in our open conveyance, the rain coming down with a 

 straightforward earnestness which led us to anticipate a small 

 company and a poor exhibition ; but on our arrival, all fears 

 of that kind were dissipated, — for they were good men and true 

 that had gathered thus early ; and the day, as it wore on, in- 

 creased their numbers, until fine weather was the only thing 

 to be desired. A more kindly spirit could not possibly have 

 prevailed ; and we have heard as much said of the one held at 

 Derby. This is doing things as they should be. 



Our readers are aware that these meetings were proposed 

 because of the difference of taste said to exist between north- 

 ern and southern Florists ; and to test the fact, whether such 

 assumed difference was a reality. This, then, was the first 

 point to be decided ; and entering the tent as an observer 



VOL. III. NO. XXXIV. U 



