82 RECORD OF HORTICULTURE. 



a moderately large list — would be a very difficult matter. 

 In the first place, there is a great variety of taste ; some 

 people will go into ecstasies over a flower that another 

 would not admit to his garden, ^^ome admire a particular 

 color, and in making a selection this will become the prom- 

 inent feature. We should not find fault with others be- 

 cause they do not think as we do, nor believe them devoid 

 of taste because theirs does not correspond with ours. All 

 flowers were created for use and admiration. Some may 

 be of a higher order than others, the same being true in 

 regard to the tastes of their admirers. 



Neither should we be selfish in these matters any more 

 than in others, but we should cultivate flowers not alto- 

 gether for our own individual gratification (although self 

 has a right to the first place), but for the benefit of others. 

 Liberality is not an expensive virtue in flower culture, be- 

 cause while we are enjoying their beauty, others may do 

 the same without loss or inconvenience to ourselves. The 

 stranger or neighbor, as he passes by, may derive pleasure 

 from our garden. The bee that sips the honey from the 

 mignonette injures not its fragrance, and the beautiful 

 humming-bird that gathers the sweets of the lily does not 

 harm its beauty ; and various are the means in which 

 we may bless others, and at the same time receive our 

 coveted share. 



To those who are unacquainted with the diflerent species 

 and varieties of Annuals, we would recommend them to 

 leave the selection to some one of our professional florists ; 

 in their catalogues will be found special lists containing 

 the most beautiful varieties, assorted, so as to give a sue- 



