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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



that it cannot afford to be liberal ? There must be some one to blame for such 

 mismanagement. 



But now for a word about florists' flowers. I heartily wish this distinction 

 was entirely abandoned. Many persons well remember the hard words and 

 unkind feelings which arose from the use of this term in the former days of the 

 Society's existence. There were then individuals connected with Chiswick 

 Gardens, and there are still individuals whose prejudices against a certain class 

 of flowers cannot be overcome. I maintain that all flowers are florists' flowers 

 in the true sense of the word. The man who cultivates Orchids is as much a 

 florist as he who grows a Pansy or a Pink. Do away with the term " florists' 

 flowers " and let liberal schedules be prepared by competent persons for the 

 exhibitions, and we shall have no more " smouldering dissatisfaction." The 

 writer in the Gardener's Chronicle remarks, " that, in the first place, exhibitions 

 must be made to pay." To this I give my cordial assent. There would be no 

 need of further expenditure if the prizes were readjusted. The distinction is 

 at present much too great in the sums of award, and some plants are brought 

 too prominently forward. It is evident at present the flowers which contribute 

 most to the brilliancy and beauty of the exhibitions are the worst rewarded. 

 It is easy to make out a list of the so-called florists' flowers, and other flowers, 

 to arrive at the value of the prizes awarded respectively to each class ; but this 

 proves nothing. The spring exhibitions could not exist without the former ; 

 and the latter without the former in the summer exhibitions would prove a 

 failure. Put aside the offensive term " florists' flowers," let each favourite flower 

 in its proper season be represented at our exhibitions, and there will be no 

 more dissatisfaction. I most sincerely hope that a little consideration on this 

 subject will induce the Council to receive suggestions for framing the schedules 

 of future exhibitions. There are persons both competent and willing to give 

 their time for this purpose without any desire of dictating to the higher powers, 

 and who would suggest such alterations and additions in the present schedules 

 w'hich would satisfy all parties ; and thus the Royal Horticultural Society 

 would be enabled faithfully to discharge its bounden duty — the encouragement 

 of floriciilture as well as horticulture. F.R.H.S. 



NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES. 



How persons can and do contrive to grow a hundred different sorts of Straw- 

 berry for years together, and keep them distinct, without fretting themselves 

 into a lunatic asylum I do not understand. I have tried some twenty-two 

 sorts and have had enough of it ; however, I have now tried them, and the 

 experience is worth something now it is gained, though I am by no means 

 certain that what is experimentally true here will be a safe guide elsewhere. 

 In by far the greater number, however, I find it is so ; and the character of 

 them in Yorkshire, in Buckinghamshire, or in Dorsetshire, describes them well 

 here when climate is allowed for. To this there are a few exceptions on both 

 sides. Sir Harry is here excellent in every way except to eat ; the best of all 

 for the preserving-pan, but worthless for the table. On the other hand, the 

 best of all the numerous British Queen family is Omar Pacha, a very second- 

 rate variety in the south ; it is not large for the present race of Strawberries, 

 but is hardy, healthy, a superabundant bearer, and higher in flavour than any, 

 except that very rare dainty a British Queen in perfection. It is my staple 

 for the dessert. The British Queen itself I am compelled most reluctantly to 

 part with. It grows the largest with me of all the large Strawberries, and 



