254 



THE FLORIST. 



getting those new varieties which have been raised the last yesn- or 

 two into general stage cultivation. I have gone carefully over the 

 reports of all the flowers exhibited in collections during the past 

 season, and I find that the most popular varieties are of some years' 

 standing as good show-flowers. It may be said that the newer 

 varieties have not been "out" time enough; but surely, when both 

 the Horticultural and Botanic Societies offer prizes for " new and first- 

 rate varieties in 8-inch pots," it does seem strange that such crack 

 flowerS; sent out with such high characters, as Brilliant, Crusader, or 

 Delicatissimum, all described as free bloomers and good habits, should 

 not be found on the tables more than once in the season of eight 

 grand shows. That there are plenty of new and first-rate seedlings 

 which are rewarded by a prize, and never, or rarely, afterwards 

 shewn again in collections, no one can deny, as witness Mount Etna, 

 Painted Lady, Cavalier, and some others, which are very good to 

 take the individual flowers, but are completely useless for stage or 

 exhibition purposes, while inferior- formed flowers, such as Orion and 

 Armada, are more often seen because of their very splendid habit 

 and freedom of bloom. 



I think the way of shewing two-year old seedlings goes far to 

 remedy this evil ; though now a flower may receive a prize and be 

 much praised, and yet not give satisfaction, as I hear is the case 

 with many, and Gipsy Bride in particular. I think we are yet a 

 long way from perfection, — we want " Magnificent" habits with 

 "Incomparable" flowers; and were habit studied more, those who 

 give their guineas would be better satisfied. I send you a summary 

 of the names of those flowers which have been exhibited oftenest the 

 past season, and I think this would be a good guide for jDlacing 

 dependence on ; for how often may we have a good flower that is 

 never Jit to make one in a dozen! Mr. Edwards has done much to 

 assist amateurs in their selection of the very best Florists' flowers ; 

 but Geraniums have been lost sight of; and I think if the principal 

 exhibitors and cultivators were asked, they would readily send you 

 or Mr. E. a list of those varieties they deem in every respect the 

 best adapted for growing for exhibition. The following is the 

 summary : 



Pearl (Drury's) has been ex- 

 hibited 22 times. 



Forget-me-Not (Lyne's) .19 „ 



Negress (Garth's) . . . .18 „ 



Gulielma (Beck's) . . .18 „ 



Centurion (Beck's) . . .16 „ 



Orion (Foster's) . . . .14 „ 



Rosamond (Beck's) . . .14 „ 



Star (Beck's) 10 „ 



BrilHant, Delicatissimum, Crusader, Emilia, Blanche, Rolla, Symme- 

 try, and Virgin Queen, have been shewn only once. 



Orion. 



