FEBRUARY. 57 



is somewhat checked, and Pot-Roses usually receive a closer watch- 

 ing for the destruction of wild shoots than such as are planted in 

 the open ground. 



" The freedom with which this stock throws up young shoots, 

 which, if not closely watched, impoverish and destroy the budded 

 variety, is a second great objection to its general use. While we 

 record this as our opinion, there are some who still esteem it, and 

 consequently a few of the leading kinds are budded on it, in order 

 that purchasers may have a choice of stocks." 



Mr. Paul also makes some well-timed remarks on the questionable 

 practice of sending out so many new varieties, for no other reason 

 than that they are new, without paying sufficient regard to their 

 being distinct from existing kinds, or an improvement on them; and 

 states this practice to be peculiar to French nurserymen (there are 

 times when we are inclined to believe the same practice is an Anglo- 

 Saxon one in regard to other flowers), and we trust that his remarks 

 may have the desired effect. We take another extract that not only 

 applies to Eoses, but to Dahlias, Hollyhocks, and every other de- 

 scription of Florists' flowers : 



" We would also guard the unpractised against hasty decisions 

 on new Roses. It is only by experience that we can fully appreciate 

 the extent to which flowers are affected by peculiar seasons. One 

 season suits one class of Roses, another season another class. For 

 instance, last year the Rose Queen Victoria bloomed very indif- 

 ferently, but this year it has proved itself the finest of light perpetual 

 Roses ; this year the well-known and first-rate Roses Baronne Hallez, 

 Baronne Prevost, and Paul Perras, have been generally indifl?erent ; 

 while many varieties, both old and new, have surprised us with their 

 strength and beauty."' 



We observe that Mr. Paul objects to the practice of " dressing" 

 flowers ; but we must be permitted to say that he is not very distinct 

 on the point. We cannot understand the difiference between arranging 

 the petals of a flower and the branches of a plant, or its blossoms, 

 when tying, and putting them in order for exhibition ; if one is 

 " artificial," the other must be so also. The Pot- Roses, as now exhi- 

 bited, are the glory and pride of our great exhibitions. Their beauty 

 is beyond the power of description ; but from the time they are 

 started into gro\vth until we see them staged at Chiswick or the Park, 

 how much is there not " artificial" in their production? It is all art, 

 and most creditable to those who practise it with so much success. 

 We heartily commend the Rose- Garden and its Supplement to every 

 person who has a garden with a Rose in it, and who has not ? 



Rendles Price Current, or Garden Directory for 1854, contains 

 elaborate descriptive lists of vegetables and flower-seeds, in addition 

 to other much useful matter, not the least of which is a calendar of 

 operations by Mr. Errington. We can only hope the information 

 Mr. Rendle puts before his customers may meet with a hearty 

 response. One thing we suggest would make it more satisfactory to 

 customers, if Mr. Rendle would state the number of perches or acres 



