1 14 THE FLORIST. 



the Old Nonpareil, which is an old variety, but one of our best winter 

 Apples, when in perfection. 



Frogmore. J. Powell. 



DAHLIA, SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. 



A number of correspondents having expressed a wish that we should 

 figure this variety, it is given in the present Number as a second plate. 

 It is a seedling from Mr. Palmer, an old salmon-coloured Dahlia, 

 which possessed a high centre and was very constant, but the petals 

 of which were too long and open. Sir John, on the contrary, has a 

 beautiful petal, as will be seen from the drawing ; it was the most 

 constant Dahlia we had in our garden last season. It comes early 

 into bloom, throws its flowers well out of the foliage on long foot- 

 stalks, of medium size. It should be grown in good rich soil, and 

 disbudded freely, but few of the shoots should be cut off the plant. 



At present, all is excitement and bustle in the Dahlia trade ; 

 dealers are packing them off by the thousand, and they are as eagerly 

 unpacked at their destination by the anxious cultivator, in order to 

 ascertain what kind of plants he has received of his favourites. 



We may here be allowed to state, that it is not necessary to have 

 large plants, but short young growing ones ; such a plant, whether 

 received from the nursery or propagated by the private grower, will, 

 if not received before the midule of the month, make a fine plant, by 

 proper management, to turn out the 1st of June, which is the best 

 time for planting. The proper treatment alluded to, is to re-pot 

 them into a four-inch pot, and place them in a cold pit or frame near 

 the glass, giving them plenty of air. If any part of the stock is 

 stunted, place such into a brisk moist heat until they have made suf- 

 ficient growth, when they may be hardened by degrees. By this 

 management we get the month of May to prepare the ground, as 

 well as to make fine plants. Cuttings put in the first week in May 

 will flower very well in September. The Dahlia is capable of flower- 

 ing all August as well as September. We have exhibited twenty- 

 four fine blooms on the 4th of the former month; but if it is intended 

 to exhibit early as well as late, there should be two plantings, one a 

 fortnight before the other. 



BEDDING-PLANTS. 



Allow me to offer a selection of plants suited for this purpose. It 

 is generally regretted that when Phoebus becomes dim in autumn 

 Flora quits the scene, leaving our masses a barren of cheerless dirty 

 spots ; but this may in a great measure be remedied by judicious 

 management in choosing early flowers; and who can deny the truth 

 of one of Nature's children, who sings, 



" No summer flowers are half so sweet as those of early spring?" 



