66 THE FLORIST. 



As an illustration of this, I need do no more than remind any 

 interested reader, that the period of flowering has varied very con- 

 siderably between his own collection and those of other cultivators 

 in his neighbourhood, precisely as the situation in which the plants 

 have been placed, alter potting for bloom, has been warm or cold, shel- 

 tered or exposed, or as the plants may have been vigorous or weakly, 

 when put out. Such a fact, I doubt not, has been noticed by every 

 observer ; and as a further illustration of this power of modification, 

 and of what may be done in the limits of a small garden, I may 

 mention, that the whole of the flowers taken by myself to the 

 National, at York, last year, were cut from plants which, from the 

 time they were planted out, were placed under the protection of the 

 garden-frames, and which, from that cause alone, were quite six 

 days in advance of the general bloom. Nor is this a solitary case, 

 similar modifications have invariably occurred. 



I have been led into making these remarks, from the fact, that 

 during an extended canvass, on behalf of the National Society, and its 

 meeting for the present season, I have met repeatedly with an ex- 

 pression of regret that the differing periods of bloom would prevent 

 the possibility of a competition, which otherwise Avould be heartily 

 entered into. And as I think this objection is not wholly sub- 

 stantial, I venture to controvert it, so far as the facts ] have adduced 

 may serve to do so. In attempting such a modification, however, 

 it must be borne in mind, that whatever may be the course pursued, 

 whether to retard or hasten the bloom, the process, in all cases 

 should be very gradual, and exactly adapted to the state of the plant. 

 To render my meaning more apparent, it will be remembered, the 

 first movement of the plant, after its winter rest, is comparatively 

 slow, and is gradually hastened, until it culminates in the intense 

 excitement of the bloom, and any assistance rendered for the purpose 

 of hastening the development of the flower, should have a precise 

 relation to the movement of the plant. Thus, whilst at the opening 

 of the flower, it may, without harm, be subjected to forty-eight or 

 seventy-two hoiu's of a close stove temperature, such a course to 

 start ivith would be positive death. And the same holds good in any 

 attempt to retard the bloom. To submit the plant to the unre- 

 stricted influence of the early spring and summer's sun, and then, in 

 the excitement belonging to it at midsummer, suddenly to subject it 

 to the comparative gloom and coldness of a northern aspect, would 

 produce an inevitably fatal check. But if commenced at the proper 

 period — the first movement of the sap — the desired end may be 

 attained without injury. The modus operandi is exceedingly simple. 

 To hasten the period of flowering, effective shelter, implying in- 

 creased warmth and vigorous plants, is needed ; to retard, a north- 

 ern aspect (sheltered, however, from violent storms and cutting 

 winds), and the intense sunlight gently broken by a hedge, or shrubs, 

 or a fine light net, as may be convenient. The former of these con- 

 ditions may be obtained by the use of the garden-frames, selecting 

 the Avarmest and driest part of the garden, or by placing the plants 

 at the foot of a south w^all, or in the shelter of a hedge, or by the 



