156 



THE FLORIST. 



times that number, — a forest of flowers! But to the sorts: fore- 

 most stands Dr. Horner, a narrowly feathered bizarre, with pale yet 

 pure and dense yellow ground, somewhat too globular in form as 

 seen this season, and also deficient of marking, yet commanding a 

 front position ; Fleur de Marie, on the contrary, boasts the heaviest 

 feather, of dense cherry crimson on a pure white ground, better in 

 form than the doctor, less colour would prove desirable ; Old Char- 

 bonnier noir was in unique trim, as were Michael Angelo, Claude, 

 Parmigiano, Rodney, Blaamart, Roi de Siam a feathered Aglaia, shone 

 conspicuously; in fact, what Heroine fine is to Triomphe Royal, so 

 was this bloom to the flamed variety of Aglaia ; it was as bold as the 

 best Bion we ever saw. Of new flowers, Mr. Perkins and Duke of 

 Wellington, bizarres, the former flamed, the latter feathered, were 

 both of the highest merit ; and we doubt not that Mr. Groom con- 

 siders himself a lucky raiser, valuable as they must hereafter prove : 

 we noted several other good seedlings ; but we learnt that at present 

 they are only under private numbers, which, although we were made 

 acquainted with, we refrain from giving. Taking growth into con- 

 sideration, even as compared with other metropolitan collections, we 

 must term it feeble, the nature of the soil being such as can never 

 produce vigour, though it keeps the strains very light, clean, and 

 chaste, — characteristics valuable and desirable, but we would wish to 

 see blended thereto strength and robustness. 



At Wace Cottage, Holloway, the flowers grown by Mr. John Ed- 

 wards were, we may say, strong, bold, robust, clean, and bright; 

 sizes larger, taken as a whole, than those at Clapham ; nor was this 

 obtained at the expense of delicacy of feathering or purity of colour, 

 although at similar distances from the smoky atmosphere of London, 

 Clapham being about three miles south from London Bridge, while 

 Holloway is three miles north from the Post-Ofnce. We are some- 

 what particu'ar in these geographical comments, in order to shew 

 what may be done when energy and perseverance are skillfully and 

 practically brought to bear on any fancy or pursuit : all these are 

 due to Mr. Edwards; and whatever a f<w may say, it is well 

 known to all unprejudiced persons, that whatever Mr. Edwards really 

 takes in hand he carries out with some claim to perfection. But to 

 the Tulips. Large collections of the Chellastons are grown here, 

 Mr. E. being one of the originators of the National Tulip Meetings, 

 was thus early in the field; and seeing the value of these far-famed 

 flowers, he obtained supplies from his midland friends, and now he 

 holds a well-selected and proven stock ; yet some confusion prevails 

 here, for we noticed Lord Vernon, Princess Royal, Chellaston Beauty, 

 Purple Perfection, Countess of Harrington, Sable Monarch, in strains 

 so similar that it was difficult to detect palpable differences; say 

 what we may, the whole of them are invaluable amongst our byblce- 

 mens ; incorrect or not, all were absolutely pure ; Addison was ad- 

 mirably done : these, we learnt, were from roots purchased of Mr. 

 Groom expressly to meet the northern demands for heavy feathered 

 byblcemens ; breadth of petal on the top in this is much needed ; 

 David, although good, is similarly deficient ; General Bournavelde is 



