70 THE FLORIST. 



offered to amateurs only, for 12 stove and greenhouse plants, six 

 prizes, viz. 10/., 71., 51., 3/., 2/., and 1/. 5s. ; following which is a 

 class for 6 stove and greenhouse plants : thus is there room and 

 verge enouirh for all. Ericas are similarly divided, and so with green- 

 house, Azaleas, and Orchids, the prizes varying from 20/. to 25s. In 

 Florists' flowers we find less improvement ; and we consider 11 -inch 

 pots to be a size too large for Cinerarias and Calceolarias ; these, with 

 Fuchsias, need a separate class for amateurs : the ill effects of shew- 

 ing together I could amply exemplify. I am glad to perceive a con- 

 tinuation of the new flower-class for Pelargoniums ; but I should hope 

 dealers will abstain from shewing for those prizes legitimately belong- 

 ing to their customers. Following the good example set by the 

 Horticultural Society, Pansies arehere invited in pots. There is evi- 

 dently a sad want of floral knowledge as regards Pinks, Picotees, and 

 Carnations — they are invited on days on which it is impossible to 

 obtain them ; and, as regards Pinks, omitted on the day. June 29, 

 when they will most likely be in their greatest perfection. The 

 prizes offered for Carnations and Picotees on the 29th June (!) might 

 have been better bestowed on Tulips in May, and on Ranunculuses 

 the last show-day, both subjects having numerous and liberal culti- 

 vators. 



I have ever considered 100 distinct varieties of Roses to be mon- 

 strous. I would have dealers produce, say 50, and even that number 

 is more than ample ; and private growers, say 25 — I would rather 

 24. The 12 single blooms is a class I have often and most perse- 

 veringly recommended, both in these pages and in my National Gar- 

 den Almanack for 1853; and thanks to the liberality of our principal 

 growers, we have issued a list of varieties eminently qualified for such 

 a system of exhibition. 



Seedlings, I regret to observe, are not generally invited ; yet as 

 there are other sources for their exhibition, and through the National 

 Floricultural Society ample means and time for their close examina- 

 tion, there is but little cause to complain at their omission on these 

 monstre occasions. Nevertheless, requiring Seedling Pelargoniums 

 blooming for the second season, combining brilliant scarlet flowers, 

 with the habit, foliage, and character of the Florists' varieties, is 

 maintaining a ground from which some day a goodly crop may be 

 taken. The omission of Pelargoniums in 11 -inch pots will, I think, 

 even find favour from those who may have hitherto grown them, 

 their only recommendation being size, and in this I have often ob- 

 served plants in 8-inch pots of equal merit. 



J. Edwards. 



