MAY. 109 



place the Midlanders at the very head of the profession, and in judi- 

 cious hands they would doubtless have benefited the fortunate 

 raiser to an extent little short of absolute independence. 



My principal object at present, however, is to raise the spirit of 

 observation and comparison to the discomfiture of that everlasting 

 seclusion, as reprehensible as distasteful to all liberal minds. I would 

 direct the attention of yourself, Mr. Proprietor, and other growers 

 if they will, to a simple step, which of itself is easy of attainment, 

 and will tend to the promotion of friendly discussions during the 

 coming year, viz. "a few morning calls," or friendly visits to the 

 growing beds of our neighbours and contemporaries, whenever op- 

 portunity should offer, for few will deny that an interest is attached 

 to a stock in its growing state, little short of that universally felt 

 when it is seen in flower. It dare not be denied that London growers 

 cannot vie with our country friends for the colour and vigour of the 

 foliage, nevertheless the extent of the difference is somewhat erro- 

 neously estimated, and in no case more so than on an occasion to 

 which further allusion is here unnecessary, when a gentleman said 

 that " I could never obtain such colour and growth in Islington as 

 has been represented to have been grown in Holloway." Such an 

 opinion, emanating from one so eminent in a knowledge of Tulips, 

 could but be taken as an indisputable circumstantial fact, " which 

 nobody could deny." I have no further motive in making reference 

 to the subject than to solicit a few calls at the present time from 

 those who may have gained an impression that " draughts of Slough 

 air" are being continually wafted to the scene of my floral triumphs: 

 not that I in any way presume to rival the unmatched and unmatch- 

 able Slough, Hampton, and Staines growth. I desire only a com- 

 parison between what is, and may at any time be seen at Holloway, 

 and those of my brother Islingtonians, Brixtonians, Claphamites, 

 Kenningtonians, and similarly circumstanced collections ; and I would 

 further claim that you, Mr. Editor, and other unbiassed authorities, 

 seek by personal inspection, and report the actual state of our beds 

 around the metropolis. 



I would observe, that by the time this will be seen in your peri- 

 odical, I shall have had an opportunity of running my eye through 

 some of the beds of Derby, Nottingham, Sheffield, and their neigh- 

 bourhoods; and by charging myself to the brim, hope to satisfy myself 

 as to appearances, by ocular comparison, of my own Devonshires, 

 Princes Koyal, Royal Sovereigns, Bions, Heroines, &c, with those 

 of the Midlanders; and, by your permission, I may at some future 

 time report the result ; remembering the motto, " nothing extenu- 

 ate, or set down aught in malice." 



John Edwards. 



