JANUARY. 23 



of this description would hold out a great inducement to many 

 country and distant florists and amateurs, who could not attend per- 

 sonally, and who still feel an interest in all matters connected with 

 floriculture. The arrangement and publication I would recommend 

 placing in the hands of a Journal Committee. 



I know that Mr. Paul has the Society's interest at heart ; and all 

 who know him will bear testimony to his integrity, and say how 

 entirely free his opinions are from interested motives. I am there- 

 fore the more pleased at seeing such remarks emanate from his pen. 

 He is honourably known in floricultural literature, and will always 

 be ready to give his assistance to any plan calculated to enlarge the 

 functions of the National Floricultural Society. In a conversation 

 with him some weeks ago on the subject, he then expressed his 

 perfect willingness to give one or two lectures before the Society, in 

 co-operation with others ; and although I have not his authority to 

 make such a statement public, I venture to do so, feeling that such 

 an offer ou^ht to be known. He has not alluded to it in his article, 

 and I appreciate his silence. A word more respecting censors. I 

 have thought that paid censors, selected annually, would be more 

 satisfactory, selecting say eight for that office ; taking in men who, 

 in their united capacity, should possess a very extended knowledge of 

 Florists' flowers ; and rendering it compulsory that five or six should 

 be in attendance. Let them be men of honour and position ; such a 

 step would give to the Society the stamp of justice and fair play, 

 and great confidence to the public. Let me not be misunderstood 

 on this point. I am not reflecting on those who have hitherto filled 

 that honourable office ; but I hold it as a principle, that in all public 

 Societies the executive management should be above suspicion or 

 doubt. Confidence is the axletree of our commercial speculations, 

 and of all other undertakings. 



There is also a field open to the National Floricultural Society 

 for settling a code of laws regulating colours; for on no subject is 

 there a wider difference of opinion; and yet, with respect to the 

 colour of a flower, there should be unanimity. To describe a flower 

 as lake, puce, peach, or maroon, is to invite chaos ; in proof of which, 

 take up a dozen Florists' lists, and witness the confusion in describing 

 the colour of a particular flower. This is a subject that ought long 

 since to have had full consideration ; and now that we have innu- 

 merable shades of colours extending throughout the very large family 

 of Florists' flowers, it is high time something definite should be done. 

 To the National Floricultural Society, therefore, I suggest the ini- 

 tiative. Call in the aid of some of our principal artists in water- 

 colours, fix the regularity of colours, and issue illustrated sheets 

 with the colours truthfully given. 



Observer. 



