THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 95 



' most careful and scrupulous investigation' has fully satisfied them of ' the cor- 

 rectness of the statements.' Of the merits of the potatoes, as developed underthis 

 later and more extended test, it is said that there is general acknowledgment of the 

 superiority of the Vermont as an early variety, both (or market and table, in fact, 

 the earliest and best in cultivation ;' that Coiiipton's has given not less satisfaction 

 as a potato of the highest quality, and that Erownell's beauty, the newest of the 

 three, has mode ' a most splendid record,' not only giviug ' much the largest re- 

 turns,' both from the single pound and the quarter acre, but eliciting ' unanimous 

 praise of all cultivators.' " 



The Xew Floweks op 1S7o. — In such a list as we are now remarking upon, 

 certain items are to be regarded as matters of course. There arc so many new 

 achimenes, araaryllis, begonias, and so forth, and it is fair to conclude that they 

 have some qualities to recommend them, especially as a considerable proportion of 

 the whole have passed through the ordeal of exhibition, and have been certificated 

 or commended or distingui-hed by money pi iaes. But some of the features are 

 especially interesting, as will appear from the facts. There are 30 new azaleas, of 

 which a vtiT large proportion are of the so-called " Ghent," or l.aruy race. Of 

 •chrysanthemums there are 16, which might suggest a revival of bright days within 

 the remembrance of many, but, as only 6 out of the number are worth attention, 

 we may conclude that the workers in tliis department are very few or very un- 

 fortunate. There are but 6 new dahlias, and they are all fine. Of new gladioli 

 there aie o4 varieties, of which r.o less than 18 are offered by Messrs. Kelway and 

 Son, whoso seedlings carry us beyond the Continental model, both in size and sub- 

 stance of fluwer, while the plants have a corresponding vigour of constitution. 

 There are 15 new hyacinths, and only 20 zonals, of wliich Dr. Denny con- 

 tributes 17 ; a very curious contrast with the lists of five to ten years ago. 

 What shall we say of 33 new varieties nf polyanthus, of which 14 are of the laced 

 show strain that everybody declared extinct ? We can only compare the last num- 

 ber with the preceding to be convinced that it is impossible to predicate the course 

 of events in floriculture • — twenty zonals and thirty-three polyanthuses ! we can 

 hardly hope to be believed, yet the case is stated in black and white, but whether 

 to edify or mystify we do not know. There are 65 new roses! The true rosa- 

 rian will respond by declaring the number preposterous, and yet they will all 

 be in demand, in accordance with the ridiculous custom of the trade', and the 

 misdirection of the zeal of amateurs. There are 12 out of the total accredited to 

 English raisers, and these have been frequently exhibited, and seen at home as 

 well ; so that there can be but few amongst the many who are interested in new 

 roses without means of estimating their value, and determining without prejudice 

 as to the advisability of purchasing them. 



Seedlings ix Competitiox. — It is one of the curiosities of exhibiting that 

 seedlings are rarely encouraged in a sensible manner. In some cases seedling 

 dahlias are put up with named varieties for schedule prizes, and the competitor in 

 the same class who does not raise seedlings, finds himself at a disadvantage 

 because the competition is on unei^ual terms. It is the same- with carnations, 

 picotees, and a host of florists' flowers : the raiser of seedlings has the start before 

 all. If lie has no first-class novelties, he trusts ro named sorts, and has no advan- 

 tage, but must win or lose on equal terms with the rest. But he may have half- 

 a-dozen new flowers that distance everything in their class, and as the sole pos- 

 sessor of tliese he is bound to win over everybody's head, provided the rest of 

 hi« btuif is of average merit. On the other hand, there is rarely any definite 

 and substantial recognition of seedling florists' flowers off'ered for the encourage- 

 ment of raisers, and in consequence of the deficiency of schedules, it is the rule of 

 experienced judges to have a final look round for such things, and thej'' make 

 awards without direction, and outside the whole of the scliedule scheme. Never- 

 theless seedlings can be best judged at a schedule competition, for there we have 

 numbers of samples of established varieties to compare them with ; in fact, they 

 cannot be fairly judged, except by the aid of such comparisons, and hence a com- 

 prehensive exhibition should include classes for new varieties of all the more im- 

 portant florist's flowers consistently with the season, and other circumstances. Good 

 money prizes would bring forward many an interesting group to the advantage of a 

 provincial exhibition, and the value to amateurs of their presentation would be 

 immense. We have but one generally recognized court of award for such things 



March. 



