286 A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND 



local societies were held annually. Tulip shows were most 

 frequent, as bulb culture was a favourite pursuit in the in- 

 dustrial districts. It is thought that the taste was carried 

 thither by the Flemish weavers, who in earlier times brought 

 the love of these plants with them from the Low Countries. 

 Next in popularity to tulips came the pinks, carnations, and 

 picotees. The other florists' flowers most thought of in 1850 

 were Auriculas and Ranunculus, then Dahlias, Pansies, Poly- 

 anthus, Fuchsias, and Verbenas, and these were the plants 

 most frequently shown. Many societies have been started 

 since then to encourage the florist varieties of different classes 

 of flowers. Perhaps the most conspicuous have been those in 

 connection with the rose, and more recently the chrysanthe- 

 mum, which now boast of National Societies. The Rose Show, 

 held in London, annually attracts an immense concourse of 

 rose-growers from every part of the kingdom. The National 

 Chrysanthemum Society originated in the one at Stoke Newing- 

 ton. That locality of London, which has for centuries been 

 the haunt of gardeners, from the times of L'Obel and Fairchild, 

 on to that of the Loddiges, has not forgotten its old traditions ; 

 even in the midst of fog and smoke the dwellers in the East 

 of London try to cultivate flowers. The chrysanthemum 

 occupies much of their attention, and that they can cultivate 

 them with success can be seen by the local Exhibitions. 1 

 Daffodils absorbed much attention during the second half of 

 the century, and the family was greatly enlarged by the hybrids 

 of Leeds, Backhouse, and Horsfield, whose work has been 

 carried on by the Rev. G. H. Engleheart and others. Daffodil 

 shows in many parts of England, particularly in the West and 

 North-West, are largely attended by enthusiastic fanciers. 

 The Horticultural Society held their first fete in 183 1, and 

 soon after the regular Exhibitions began. Since then their 

 shows and those of the Botanical Society and of local societies 

 in every town and county of England have become events of 

 yearly, or almost weekly, occurrence, and the stimulus to 

 floriculture promoted by these institutions must be apparent 



1 The shows of the Dalston and De Beauvoir Town Amateur Chrysan- 

 themum Society, held annually, are an example of what care and atten- 

 tion can achieve. 



