A FEW HINTS TO FLORISTS. lr>7 



Many may think I have formed a very high opinion of Mr. Wood- 

 mansey. My answer is, no higher than others have expressed ; and 

 in proof of which, shortly after its appearance in your Cabinet I 

 read it in the "Gardener's Gazette," (it had heen merely altered in 

 a few words,) and was sent by an individual (whose name I do not 

 think worth mention) as his own original composition. I lost no 

 time in acquainting Mr. Woodmansey of the fact, who immediately 

 wrote to the editor of that Gazette, and the reply was most politely 

 published by that gentleman, who, in thanking Mr. W. for his 

 information, assured him he would never in future insert anything 

 that fell from the pen of " the pitiful copyist." As Mr. Wood- 

 mansey has afforded so much useful information to young florists, I 

 will, with your permission, Mr. Editor, endeavour to give a few plain 

 hints to florists in general. 



In the first place, I beg to state that I am a great admirer of all 

 florist flowers, but more particularly attached to the Pink, the growth 

 of which I am happy to observe is now much encouraged, and there 

 is not a first-rate sort in the kingdom but I would purchase if it were 

 to be had. I shall now point out one great error that prevails 

 amongst the cultivators of this beautiful flower ; that is, being late in 

 giving their orders, for the best time for planting out Pinks is from 

 the middle of September to the middle of October. If you wish to 

 obtain good blooms, the earlier the better ; and then you are more 

 likely to get strong plants, and also many new sorts, which, if left 

 late, you cannot obtain at all. For instance, in 1840. when I sold 

 out my Captain Deans Dundas, in a fortnight I had not one plant 

 left on hand, and could have sold five times the number if I had had 

 them. About ten years ago I was visited by that celebrated florist, 

 the late Mr. Squib, of Salisbury ; and I think I may venture to 

 observe, that in his time few persons possessed more general know- 

 ledge of florist flowers than he did. Mr. S. wished to purchase some 

 particular sorts of Pinks, (it was the latter end of August.) I showed 

 him my plants, and he desired me to take up a few pairs which he 

 named. My answer to him was, that they were in a fine growing 

 state, and that in about three weeks I should be sending some of 

 them out, and, if he would give me his address, I would be sure to 

 send them to him. He very kindly tapped me on the shoulder, and 

 said, " Mr. Ibbett, have you been so long a florist, and not know 



