MARKET GARDEN CULTIVATION DURING QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. 407 



1897 in this branch of market work. The few loads of potted 

 plants and bunches of flowers only obtainable at Covent Garden 

 Centre Row, have been changed into the unique and magnificent 

 spectacle presented by the early Covent Garden Flower Market 

 of to-day. Nothing so much marks the advance of our working 

 and middle classes in material progress, in improved taste and 

 refinement, as their increased outlay upon flowers. At all 

 seasons and under all conditions of life, from the sick-room in a 

 London lodging, or the ward of a public hospital, up through all 

 times of joy and sorrow, to the highest function of society (the 

 Drawing Room), we find them shedding their joyous light and 

 delicious perfume, Nature's most charming productions. 



Naturally grown flowers commence with the humble Snow- 

 drop, passing along with the changing seasons through Violets, 

 Narcissus, Tulips, Wallflowers, Lilies, Pinks, Stocks, Roses, 

 Asters, Dahlias, Chrysanthemums, and others, till frost and 

 snow again appear. In early spring a large quantity of 

 rooted plants and seedlings suited to suburban and window 

 gardening are daily sold in pots and boxes. These are succeeded 

 by bedding-out and window plants, such as Geraniums, Calceo- 

 larias, Marguerites, &c. 



FORCED FLOWERS— Pot Plants. 



But however much we may admire our hardy and half-hardy 

 bedding friends, whether in the plant or flower, they are eclipsed 

 by their more delicate brethren of hot-house culture. 



Pot plants (as distinct from cut-flowers) are of two classes : 

 (1) foliage plants and (2) flowering plants. 



Foliage Plants have recently become more and more in 

 demand, especially since our growers have proved that they can 

 raise them without the assistance of foreign nurserymen. The 

 Palms, for instance, have so increased in quantity and decreased 

 in price as to bring them within reach of a multitude of buyers. 

 The chief foliage plants brought to market are Palms, Ferns, 

 Crotons, Aspidistras, Aralias, Solanums, &c. A curious fancy 

 for small boxes of mixed foliage plants in thumb pots has sprung 

 up of late years, and one firm alone sells about two and a half 

 millions of these pots annually. 



Floweking Plants in pots give general evidence of excel- 

 lence of cultivation and magnificent training. They change 



