DECEMBER. 267 



months before the character of our publication was known ; and 

 then the fault was discovered that of the early numbers not one 

 half of the required quantity had been printed. They were put again 

 into type, and again the same error was committed ; and the conse- 

 quence has been, I dare say, that very many of the present sub- 

 scribers cannot make their set of volumes complete. 1 had myself 

 once the gratification of seeing the first 12 Nos. sold at public auction 

 for 21 shillings, which had been purchased for 12. Well, one year 

 more, and it will have served its apprenticeship of seven years ; and 

 I would suggest, that in the coming year the present proprietor should 

 ask for, and receive, suggestions for any alterations that would effect 

 an improvement. 



It would be worth while to consider the propriety of enlarging 

 the paper, so as to give more room for the plate, which at present 

 seems to me rather confined. Coloured representations of fruit, too, 

 might judiciously be added, particularly of new varieties. I would 

 also suggest that parties requiring their novelties to be figured, might 

 be allowed to do so upon payment of a reasonable sum, and its being 

 clearly understood that the conductor was to be answerable for the 

 fidelity of the representation. By this means we should get more 

 illustrations ; and I am quite sure it would answer the purpose of all 

 parties ; for a good coloured plate, and particularly if it can be relied 

 on, is the best of all advertisements. I trust your readers will par- 

 don my intrusion upon your pages. Since my pecuniary interests in 

 the work have ceased, I have been too closely engaged in other oc- 

 cupations to bestow much time upon floriculture ; but I have never 

 ceased to feel a warm interest in its advancement ; and whilst I write 

 I feel myself again in the midst of those kind friends who so ably 

 supported me in my efforts, and to whom alone belonged the merit 

 of my success. May we all continue to be animated by a determi- 

 nation to maintain the Florist in its present excellent condition, and 

 by endeavouring to increase its circulation, add thereby to the ability 

 of its present conductor to increase its merits and claims on our sup- 

 port. Edward Beck. 



PLEROMA ELEGANS. 



This lovely autumnal blooming greenhouse plant is well worthy of 

 all the attention which can possibly be bestowed on it. The season 

 at which it comes into bloom, and the length of time it continues in 

 beauty, quite entitle it to rank among first-class plants. Although 

 we rarely find it in the splendid collections which adorn the tents of 

 our great metropolitan exhibitions, still it is my belief that it will 

 yet be brought into bloom for that purpose at a much earlier season 

 than we have been accustomed to see it : this may be accomplished 

 by a certain kind of winter treatment, which I will presently endea- 

 vour to explain ; but first let us commence by furnishing ourselves 

 with a small bushy healthy plant, and after the turn of the days, say 



