Oriental and European History. 21 



leading points in the award of premiums. The French seem 

 also particularly partial to the Japanese varieties, and ever 

 since their introduction by Mr. Robert Fortune, they have 

 excited a great interest among the florists. From 1870 to 

 1880 there were but few incurved flowers distributed from 

 France, and at that time it seemed as if they would excel all 

 other countries in the production of the Japanese varieties. 

 Happily, however, in our own climate, a Thorpe a Walcott, a 

 Harris, and a Spaulding have supplied our need, and the pro- 

 duction of these men is eminently satisfactory to the Ameri- 

 can cultivator. It will, however, be many years even if no 

 further advance be made by the French, before their contribu- 

 tion to our collections will play an insignificant part in our 

 gardens and exhibition halls. 



One great objection, frequently, and not without reason, 

 advanced against the French productions, is that they are far 

 too numerous to be uniformly good, thus incurring a waste of 

 time and money to those who distribute them in England and 

 America. It is to be regretted, too, that the French taste, 

 though refined, differs from us somewhat in floriculture. Had 

 their energies been turned more to specimen plants and exhi- 

 bition blooms, or had they learned to appreciate the value of 

 the incurved section, it is difficult to imagine how great would 

 have been the results in these directions. They have, not- 

 withstanding these ideas, given us a new type, and one capa- 

 ble of considerable development the Japanese anemone, a 

 result of intelligent crossing. M. Marrauch, who died a few 

 years ago, was one of the successful producers of this new 

 class. They are at present wanting in high tones of color, 

 compared with their congeners of the common Japanese type, 

 but their number is steadily increasing, and if duly appreciated 

 greater results may be attained. Several new growers have 

 of late come into notice in France, and we shall probably hear 

 more from their labors in the future, as their enthusiasm in 



