THE FLORIST. 



But then arises the question, How is the expense to be met ? 

 Where can the magic £ s. d. he brought from ? On this point I do 

 not yet see my way so clearly. Certainly, a small garden would suf- 

 fice : but the working of that garden could not be carried on without 

 sufficient funds. Rendering the Society more generally useful would 

 no doubt increase the number of subscribers ; but not, I am afraid, 

 commensurate with the large outlay required for keeping up a garden. 

 The su£-£restion is valuable, and I should much like to see it carried 

 out ; for I think it is most desirable there should be a spot, easy of 

 access, where every variety of Florist's flower should have full and 

 ample justice done it ; for there are many varieties that are condemned 

 because they are not seen in a proper state of cultivation. Such a 

 garden would be a boon to the country nurserymen, who would thus 

 have an opportunity afforded them of seeing all classes of flowers well 

 grown in one spot, and be able to form their own judgments respect- 

 ing them. If the question is worthy of consideration, I trust further 

 suggestions will be offered. If voluntary donations will assist in ear- 

 ning out the object, I for one am ready to assist as far as my means 

 will allow. 



The National Floricultural Society was organised for the purpose 

 of judging seedling Florists' flowers, and when named varieties were 

 also produced, a certain amount of ridicule was indulged in. It has 

 always appeared to me so desirable that varieties already in circulation 

 should be present, that I venture to suggest that single specimens or 

 collections of any description of Florists' flowers should be invited, 

 and also that when characterised by superior culture, a prize in money 

 should be awarded at the option of the judges, for the twofold pur- 

 pose of marking the Society's approbation and compensating the 

 grower for the expense of bringing his plant or plants for exhibition. 

 Seedling flowers, if really new and good, will always bear comparison 

 with " sent out" varieties ; and unless they can bear such a criticism, 

 they should not be let out as " new and distinct." 



I greatly approve of the idea of lectures and essays, and much 

 wish to see the system adopted. Many members attend the meet- 

 ings without being conversant with the properties a Geranium, 

 Fuchsia, Tulip, or Auricula should possess. To such, a lecture or 

 essay on the particular flowers then in season would be a boon. 

 Properties, culture, history, and other topics could be touched upon 

 most advantageously, and might become the property of the Society. 

 It has hitherto been a great fault on the part of Nurserymen their 

 neglecting to give proper directions respecting the culture of what 

 new plants they may have sent out; and this remark applies with 

 equal force to Florists. The adoption of lectures and essays would 

 give the Society not only a valuable property, but enable it to diffuse 

 much useful information ; and to issue, say quarterly or half-yearly, 

 to the subscribers, an elaborate work of reference in the shape of 

 " Transactions of the National Floricultural Society," which might 

 include a descriptive list of every flower sent to the Societv for judg- 

 ment, its merits or demerits, how differing from other varieties in 

 cultivation, and naming the sorts which it most resembles. A work 



