162 THE FLORIST. 



only difference of opinion among all present. Another point I would 

 allude to is, — Did those gentlemen who complain of the quality of 

 their flowers purchase the roots of Mr. Macefield ? If they did, and 

 they bear no comparison with the drawing, then have they just cause 

 to complain ; but if not, wherefore put the blame upon his, Mr. 

 M.'s shoulders ? An almost parallel case occurs in the very Number 

 of the Midland Florist that contains the notice of Magnificent, re- 

 specting Barr's Violet Alexander. It there appears that Amyntus has 

 been extensively grown as Alexander; now, might not these parties 

 with equal grace blame Mr. Barr for their having the wrong thing ? 



The editor of the Midland Florist does not hint one word doubt- 

 ing the correctness of the likeness, but takes the plain, common- 

 sense view of supposing that he has got an inferior break. Your 

 correspondent S. S., in No. XVII. of the Florist, plainly states that 

 he saw several different breaks, and among them one tinged yellow. 

 To this I would add my testimony, having broke it in three different 

 characters, two of which are excellent, but the third is worthless. 

 In conclusion, I fearlessly assert that Wakelin's drawing of Magni- 

 ficent, as grown by Mr. Macefield in 1848, is as correct a likeness 

 as ever I saw of any flower in my life.* 



57 Elizabeth Street, Hackney Road, London. H. Wolfe. 



AURICULA. 



This ancient favourite of the Florist, 



" enriclied 

 With shining meal o'er all their velvet leaves," 



seems to have been so well understood by our forefathers, and the 

 points of perfection so well established, that additions were rarely 

 made to the varieties in general cultivation. A theory which holds 

 good in the present day ; for it may be observed that many, if not 

 most, of the varieties now exhibited, and also returned in Mr. Ed- 

 wards's late lists, are from twenty to fifty years old. The most 

 successful modern raiser is Mr, James Dickson, who certainly (in 

 the south at least) stands pre-eminent in this respect. We some- 

 times fear this flower is not so generally grown as it used to be, 

 unless in Lancashire, where, from time immemorial, amongst the 

 operatives, it has been an established favourite and subject of exhibi- 

 tion. The variety forming your illustration, as may be inferred from 

 its name, was sent out from that neighbourhood, and is one of the 

 last, and perhaps the best, raised in those parts. 

 " Honour to whom honour is due." 



It was raised, we learn, by Robert Lancashire, a hand-loom silk- 

 weaver of Middleton near Manchester, and w^as first exhibited by 

 him four years ago at Lower Place near Rochdale, and was placed 

 second in class shewing. Privateer (Grimes) being the first. It was, 



* We can confirm this.— Editor. 



