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A 



FLOWER CHRISTENING. 



ONE of the most important and wished-for events in 

 the life of a florist in a florist's estimation, at least 

 is the raising of a fine flower from seed. His joy 

 on first beholding it is equal to that of a lord on first 

 viewing the infant heir of his title, wealth, and 

 honours. By the production of this flower he claims 

 the undisputed title of florist among the brotherhood, 

 grounds his pretensions to superior knowledge, and 

 assumes a loftier tone of decision upon every dis- 

 putable point connected with the fancy. But to fix 

 upon an appropriate and distinguished name for his 

 new flower, is a work of almost as much difficulty 

 as to raise it. No vulgar or common name can, in 

 his opinion, speak its merits or exemplify its beauties. 

 The flower must be ennobled by the ennobling name 

 of King, Queen, Emperor, Hero, and very often con- 



