54 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



down to six, and specify the sorts that would be admissible 1 True, 

 this might keep out our Syrians and Trebbianos, and others which 

 have no merit, comparatively speaking, either in quality or in their 

 culture. This might cause the exhibits to look less imposing to 

 the general public who visit horticultural exhibitions; but to merely 

 make the public stare should not by any means be either the alpha 

 or omega of shows. If anything comes within the legitimate scope 

 of horticultural societies, it certainly is to encourage the culture of 

 the finest, and not the coarsest, varieties, which latter are certainly 

 not the crucial test of skilful or meritorious Grape culture. It is 

 something like a shame to gull the public with monstrous bunches 

 of coarse Grapes instead of educating them by bringing merit before 

 them. We are certain that no Johnston, or Hunter, or Fowler, will 

 ever think of pinning his reputation to his monster bunches of 

 coarse sorts instead of to his fine Muscats and Hamburgs, &c. 



These foregoing remarks apply with equal force to Pine-Apples, 

 Peaches, &c. When three, or four at most, of Pine-Apples are culti- 

 vated, we doubt if the addition of another variety more would im- 

 prove the selection in point of flavour and general usefulness. It 

 would only be a waste of space to refer to other fruits, beyond again 

 expressing our conviction that this rule applies to them all. 



Turning to the Vegetable department, and taking, as illustrative 

 of what we are contending for, Peas, Cabbages, and Lettuces, 

 we have no hesitation in saying that in numerous instances one 

 half of the varieties cultivated would greatly improve the char- 

 acter of the supply, and simplify the matter of sowing, nam- 

 ing, &c. Gardeners who have practised for many years, and who 

 have the largest supplies to keep up, come to very much reduce their 

 catalogue of vegetables instead of extending it, and so far differ from 

 beginners and men of less experience. 



Looking at flowers, of which there are many species or varieties, 

 our rule might in many cases be applied with rather a sweeping 

 hand. Take Ptoses as an instance. What a galaxy of names we 

 find, many of which differ from others more in name than anything 

 else, there being just a shade of colour and form of difference be- 

 tween many of them. Would it not be much the better way to 

 select the best and most useful of several, which have so little dif- 

 ference the one from the other 1 A selection of three or four dozen 

 of Hybrid Perpetuals, selected according to soil and climate, would 

 be much more satisfactory in hundreds of cases than double that 

 number. 



We might run over the whole of Florist Flowers, Heaths, Azaleas, 

 Orchids, &c. and still be within the limits of the applicability of this 



