8 



THE FLORIST AND NOMOLOGIST. 



of fruit is not only equal, if not more in bulk, but is at the same time more 

 speedily realised ; and these are important matters in these days when great 

 demands are not unfrequently pressed upon gardeners with limited means. 



^ Take, for instance, a sucker from a Pine plant in September or October. 

 It is potted into a 6 or 7-inch pot ; in February or March it is transferred 

 into a 10 or 11-inch size to fruit in ; by the middle of August it has filled its, 

 pot with roots, and matured its growth under all the light and natural heat of 

 summer. Next January, fifteen months after it was detached from the parent 

 stool, it is started into fruit, and is king of the dessert in May. Eapid work 

 this. What would our grandfathers, or even fathers, say to it ? 



Given the same sucker, and let it be transferred into pots of a much larger 

 size, would its state of fruiting maturity be arrived at so easily and so naturally ? 

 Not, certainly, without checks and counter-checks — expedients which invari- 

 ably result in inferior fruit to those presented by plants which have crowded 

 their pots with roots, and the growing course of which has ended in a natural 

 maturity. Nor is this any more singular than that a Strawberry plant grown 

 in a 5-inch pot should yield larger individual fruit than when the same plant 

 is shifted on into a pot twice the dimensions. It is the general experience 

 that with most things there is nothing so thoroughly essential to a bold and 

 certain development of fruit than a pot well filled with roots ; and, as a conse- 

 quence, a well-ripened growth. This, after a proper season of rest, seldom 

 comes short of successful results ; and is more likely to be attained, especially 

 when to be done in a few months ; by the use of small pots, besides being 

 particularly applicable to the Pine Apple. The theory of the matter may form 

 the subject of another short paper. 



Archerfield Gardens. David Thompson". 



RELATIVE TO ROSES. 



At the commencement of a new year and new series, I must ask for a place 

 for the following observations. Before I begin, let me say, that with grateful 

 recollections of Mr. Turner as co-Editor with Mr. Spencer, I hope the new 

 series Mali flourish. If ability in the resident Editor be a guarantee, and if 

 contributors will write plain common sense and their experience on subjects^ 

 with which they are acquainted, I see no reason to doubt, that the new Fiobist 

 with its two beautiful plates, will be one of the best publications in the world. 

 Of the courtesy of the two present, as well as of the two former Editors, I have 

 every reason to speak in the highest terms. I am sure that articles which, 

 though they may be controversial, are yet free from personalities and the 

 imputation of improper motives, will be received with gratitude by the Editors; 

 and that, if they are of an instructive character, they will find a place in the 

 new series. Long may it flourish, wide may it spread, and may its Editors, 

 contributors, and purchasers, ever maintain a Christian spirit and friendly 

 feeling towards other similar productions. 



An invariable article in every Flokist may be an injury, as it must tend 

 to shut out other contributors, who, in due time, finding that their labours are 

 not appreciated, will cease to be among the staff of writers. If the present 

 article be inserted I will endeavour to be silent, that others may communicate 

 their ideas ; but, having been kindly asked by both the present Editors to 

 support the new series, I should be sorry to omit the first opportunity of 

 sending a few friendly inaugural words, and, also, a few useful observations on 

 a theme that to me is inexhaustible* . 



