214 



THE FLORIST. 



There is a great want of knowledge as to new or old seed pro- 

 ducing the best and finest vegetables. My experience leads me to 

 believe that old seed of many of the species of cultivated vegetables 

 has the superiority in every respect, the Legumes perhaps being the 

 only exception. New seeds unquestionably germinate more quickly 

 than old ones; but if the latter are carefully kept, there is little 

 danger of a crop. By good cultivation, and a judicious selection for 

 seed of individual plants having useful qualities, of which some may 

 be found in almost every crop, and by cross-breeding, we might 

 obtain varieties possessing qualities far surpassing those we now 

 possess. 



Lastly, do we make a judicious selection from the varieties of 

 cultivated vegetables we have already ? 



I unhesitatingly answer no : we are all more or less to blame for 

 the catalogue of names in the seedsmen's lists. One person is anxious 

 for all the new varieties ; which induces seedsmen to procure every 

 thing with a new name, and which at the same time may possess no 

 merit whatever. Another person repudiates every thing new, and 

 determines upon selecting varieties which should have been discarded 

 years since. Seedsmen would be but too glad to discard from their 

 lists three-fourths of the varieties of some species ; but while they 

 are asked for certain sorts, be they good or bad, it must naturally be 

 supposed that they would endeavour to accommodate every one of their 

 customers. Seedsmen may certainly greatly assist every one in 

 selecting seeds, if they would publish descriptive catalogues instead 

 of a long list of names only, which is the general rule, the exceptions 

 being few. If the descriptions were given faithfully by competent 

 persons, it would go far to rectify the evils so much complained of 

 by purchasers of seeds. I would most strongly recommend every 

 purchaser to deal with respectable and well-known seedsmen ; this 

 is a warning I would particularly impress on gentlemen who are pur- 

 chasers of their own seeds, and who are, I believe, the chief sufferers 

 by cheap, quack seedsmen. 



H. C. O. 



[We trust that these excellent remarks will receive that attention 

 from the public, both buyers and sellers, which they demand. For 

 ourselves, we shall be but too happy to do all that we can in further- 

 ance of our correspondent's views, which, if uniformly carried out, 

 we feel assured could not possibly fail to promote the interests of all 

 parties. — Ed.] 



NATIONAL FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



July 23. — A certificate was awarded to Mr. Turner for Picotee Ariel, 

 a full-sized rose-edged kind, of good substance, purity, and smooth- 

 ness. Certificate to Verbena Triumph, from Mr. Smith, a reddish 

 crimson sort, with a cheerful light eye, surrounded by heavy rose. 

 Label of commendation to Phlox Madame Celeste, from Mr. Salter, 



