MARCH. 67 



use of flake hurdles, hoops and mats, or in many other ways which 

 the fertile imagination of a good Florist will readily suggest. In all 

 cases, it would be an advantage to plunge the pots in slightly- 

 moistened sawdust, turner's shavings, or other very slowly decom- 

 posing material. As the means of retarding are available almost 

 everywhere, nothing more need be said on that point. 



I therefore trust many, who may have thought themselves out of 

 the pale of competition for the present season, will give my sug- 

 gestions a fair trial, as I feel assured cultivators in the most back- 

 ward districts may produce flowers in fine condition, by such means, 

 by August 3d, and the same may be done from the later varieties, 

 in the extreme south. And does not a " national" demonstration 

 deserve this effort? Does it not require it? Of all agencies within the 

 command of Florists, is there one capable of such results as a national 

 gathering ? As a source of delight, as a school for information, as an 

 illustration of the Florist's art and its truth, and as a means of obtain- 

 ing for him his proper place in the estimation of the public, how 

 may it be excelled ? Already, as its first, and I had almost said, 

 fairest fruit, ignorant dissension has fallen before it ; and thus 

 stripped for the race, (and of such a cumbrous, monstrous load \) 

 shall we stand listless, or shall we, by a unity of effort, show what 

 is due to the long-considered insignificant Florist? Properly ma- 

 naged, these exhibitions may conduct us to a place co-equal with 

 that of the sculptor and painter, and nothing less should content us. 



And is not the jiower worthy of some effort? Rejoicing in 

 excellences surpassed by none, once described, and by the master- 

 mind of all men, as " the fairest o' the season," of almost infinite 

 variety, and capable of the most wonderful modification, shall we 

 permit it to occupy a second place ? Can we uncaringly pass by 

 its appeal for regard ? Can we cast off the direct hold it has upon 

 our sensibilities in the fact that it needs our devotion? For, want- 

 ing in the facility of increase, the element of profit to the com- 

 mercial propagator, it can hope for nothing but a bare toleration 

 at his hands. But to the Florist, whose heart is instinct with the 

 love of beauty, in whom chivalrous feeling springs spontaneously, 

 this very weakness is a delight, because it gives a right to his 

 devotion. In days gone by, our old knights loved nothing so well 

 as succouring the weak, and battling for the helpless, even to 

 their lives' cost. Living now in days of superior enlightenment, are 

 we to degenerate ? Shall we permit merit of the highest, beauty of 

 the rarest, to sink into neglect, because the commercial element is 

 wanting ? Florists of England ! Carnation growers of the whole world! 

 help me with overpowering might to say No ! 



A few words in conclusion may be interesting, and prevent mis- 

 apprehension. Earnestly as I desire my appeal may move all, 

 especially those not otherwise addressed, it is not made in the fear 

 of a paucity of support, but that not one may be absent who 

 should be present. The support already promised has exceeded 

 the most sanguine expectations of the committee, and enabled us 

 to offer an amount in prizes without any parallel in the history of 



