

46 MISCELLANEOufciJ^TELLIGBNCB. 



On the Properties of the PiNfc^s-1. The stem should be strong,eJastic, 

 aud erect, and not less tbau twelve iu^hea high. 



2. The flower should not be less than two inches and a half in diameter ; 

 the petals should be large, broad, and ^substantial, and free from large, coarse, 

 deep notches, or indentures; in short, they approach nearest to perfection 

 when they are rose-leaved, ». e. without any fringe at all. 



3. The broad end of the petals should be perfectly white aud distinct from 

 the eye, unless it be a laced pink, which should be bold, clean, and distinct, 

 leaving a considerable portion of white in. the centre, perfectly free from any 

 tinge or spot. - 



4. The eye should consist of a bright rich, dark crimson or purple, resembling 

 velvet ; but the nearer it approaches to black, the more it is esteemed ; its pro- 

 portion should be about equal to that of the white, that it may neither appear 

 too large nor too small. 



Remarks bt Pansy. — Having been a subscriber and well-wisher to the 

 Floricultural Cabinet from its commencement, I ^ee with satisfaction the 

 progressive improvement in this cheap and useful little work. I hope 

 you will continue occasionally to favour your readers with the characteristic 

 marks by which we may know some of the most popular flowers, in the manner 

 you have described the Carnation at page 187, Vol. I., as it is no less strange 

 than true, that many of the admirers of the Dahlia are unacquainted with 

 the points required to form a perfect flower. A proof of this was lately given 

 at one of the local Horticultural Meetings not far from town, where, after the 

 examination was over, and the prizes awarded, it was discovered that some of 

 the gardeners (who had selected flowers from their master's garden for the 

 show) had unluckily left the best specimens in the anti-room, and when pointed 

 out by a good judge, it was too late to rectify the error ! — I am glad to observe 

 you purpose issuing auother Edition with the plates better coloured ; not that 

 I think there is just reason to complain at present, considering the price of the 

 work. By the bye, it would be well, if possible, to avoid changing the names 

 of new flowers, as it too often occasions offence and disappointment. The 

 Nierembergia has had three several names since it was first introduced — first, 

 Salpiglossis; second, Petunia integrifolia. — I shall be impatient to see your 

 valuable correspondent's promised paper on the cultivation of the Salpiglossis, 

 and only regret that he seems inclined to confine it to the greenhouse, knowing 

 from two years' experience that few flowers delight more in the open ground, 

 where at this moment I have a bed containing seven varieties, all sparkling 

 in the sun, and I trust will continue to do so until the end of the mouth, if 

 not longer. — Will you pardon me, Mr. Editor, for saying, that you would 

 act wisely to give only one article in any Number on the same flower. 

 " One at a time, they will last the longer;" and you know that "variety 

 is charming." — One word more of advice, and I have done for the 

 present. It is, I think, bad taste to allow any sparring, or the use of 

 hard names, between correspondents, to sully your floral pages ; and 

 you may safely venture to believe, that no one will complain if you apply 

 the pruning knife pretty freely on any future occasion, before you go to press. 

 Surely the chief object in contributing ought to be to art'ord information, and, 

 as far as possible, aid and encourage you in the conduct of a work, in which 

 you have shown such zeal and ability. — I hope soon to be able to furnish you 

 with Flora's Dial, Calendar, and Barometer, for the amusement of your fair 

 readers, and remain, yours, &c. Pansv. 



The Grove, Oct. 8th, 1833. 



[We shall be obliged by receiving the promised favours at an early conve- 

 nience. — Conductor.] 



On Dahlus. — Observing you sometimes give descriptions of new Dahlias 

 in your Floricultural Cabinet, I send you a notice of two or three raised in 

 the neighbourhood of Sevenoaks, Kent, viz. :— 



Beauty of Surrey, a white, prettily tipped and tinged with rose colour, 

 feathering into fine filaments towards the middle of the petals; a very fair 

 formed middling sized flower, the petals ratheii,])ointed, growing about three 

 feet aud a half high, showing the flowers well above the foliage. This is a seed- 



