ON THE ORIGIN OF THE PINK. 107 



raised, or its method of culture. It rarely occurs but that there is a 

 pleasure iu tracing its origin, more particularly when it comes within 

 that sphere of amusement cultivated by himself. There having 

 been, in my humble opinion, no true account given, or statement 

 made, by any person relative to the above-named flower, which 

 within a few years has raised its head almost from insignificance to 

 a place worthy the admiration of all florists, I flatter myself that 

 no person is in possession of better information upon this subject 

 than myself, having been particularly acquainted with the raiser of 

 the first-named Pink which came under the notice of the public, as 

 also having had access to his books, as well as personal information 

 from him. The first Pink worthy of notice was raised in the year 

 1772 by Mr. James Major, who was then gardener to the Duchess 

 of Lancaster ; previous to which there were but four sorts, and those 

 of very little note, being cultivated only for common border flowers. 

 Mr. Major having saved some seed in 1171, he reared several plants, 

 which, blooming the next season, one out of the number proved to be 

 a double flower with laced petals, at which he was agreeably sur- 

 prised, although he considered it as being only in embryo, and the 

 prelude to some further advance, to be developed at some future 

 period, which is now verified by the rapid strides this beautiful 

 flower has made within a few years. Mr. Major also informed me 

 that he made his discovery known to a professional gentleman, (a 

 florist,) who came to see it, and offered the sum of ten guineas for 

 the stock; but he declined the offer till he had consulted more of his 

 floricultural friends, which having done, one gentleman told him he 

 had done perfectly right in not accepting the offer, and advised him 

 to increase the stock for the ensuing year, and then offer them for 

 sale to the public. He took the hint, and accepted this advice of 

 his friend, and sold it out to the public at 10*. 6d, a pair, under the 

 name of Major's Duchess of Lancaster, the orders for which amounted 

 to the sum of 80/. One order to a single individual of 40 pairs was 

 delivered at the above price; and I thiuk I may venture to say that 

 no person has ever been able to make half that sum by any new 



I^inlc since 



Some of my readers may have had an opportunity of seeing a work, 

 published in 1192, " A Treatise on the Culture of Flowers," by 

 James Maddox, of Walworth, florist, and in p. 1.8 they will find it 



