4 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



the state of the markets generally, than do the sales of pedigree stock suggest that 

 serviceable animals cannot be bought for fewel' shillings than are the pounds given for 

 rarities. Orchids are really well within the reach of all fairly well-to-do persons, and, 

 as will be shown when treated upon in this work, are not nearly so difficult to grow and 

 tiowcr as many seem to think. It is worthy of note that many superior forms have 

 been raised in this country of late years. Amongst the pioneers of the hybridising 

 movement is the well-known firm of Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, King's Road, Chelsea, 

 and many others are now successfully engaged in this delicate and highly interesting 

 work. Several of the leading nurserymen largely import orchids, having their own 

 travellers hunting for them in various, and hitherto but little explored, parts of the 

 Globe. Foremost among these must be placed Messrs. Sander & Co., St. Alban's, 

 Messrs. Bull, Veitch, and others also displaj'ing much activity and enterprise in a 

 similar direction. As a consequence, the commoner, yet beautiful, forms of many 

 species are now obtainable at prices quite the reverse of prohibitive to growers of 

 ordinary exotics, while every ]iow and then the orchid world is startled by the intro- 

 duction of some grand novelty, in few or large numbers. 



The rose, however, if popularity is taken as a test, is still the Queen of Flowers, 

 and the progress made with the flower, of which it is said " there is odour in the very 

 name," has been eminently satisfactory. By far the greater number of the best A^arieties 

 of hybrid perpetuals now in cultivation have been raised within the last twenty-five 

 years ; and, although to France belongs the honour of producing the majority of them, 

 home raisers have done much of which to be proud. Such names as Bennett, Dickson, 

 Paul & Son, W. Paul & Son, Postans, Prince, Turner, Ducher, Guillot, Levet, Lacharme, 

 Margottin, Pernet, Schwartz, and Verdier, deserve to be handed down to posterity for 

 good work accomplished in raising new and beautiful varieties. It is at rose shows, 

 many of which have sprung up, including those of the IN'ational Eose Society, during 

 the past few years, that the hybrid perpetuals are seen at their best, though not a few 

 lovers of roses prefer to cultivate them in a less formal manner with a view to having 

 masses of flowers in their gardens rather than a few prize blooms for exhibiting. The 

 other sections, notably teas and noisettes, have not been neglected ; in fact these are 

 likely, as their merits become better known, to even eclipse the more showy hybrid 

 perpetuals. There has also been a marked reaction in favour of old-fashioned, or what 

 are termed "garden," roses; and even the sweet-briar has not been neglected, as 

 witness the lovely hybrids raised by Lord Penzance. 



