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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



I am sure this measure deserves the consideration of the Royal Horticul- 

 tural Society, the Royal Botanic, and the Crystal Palace Company. Nothing 

 but numbers should ever be allowed in future in any class for competition. 

 Last year at the Crystal Palace one of the Judges deliberately went to the 

 stands he had to judge, and first looked to whom the stands belonged before he 

 attempted to look at the flowers. This I decidedly object to ; and in all my 

 own judging, now for forty years, I never did such a thing, and always objected 

 to my brother judges doing it. Had I not seen this with my own eyes, I 

 would not be so positive ; but when only a few chairs, as rails, divide the 

 Judge from the exhibition, he cannot help seeing that which spoiled his 

 appetite for the day. Nothing but boards all alike, and numbers without names 

 can obviate this injustice. 



I now come to a very delicate matter how to describe — the new Dahlias 

 for 1863. How can I speak of my own without egotism, or my neighbours 

 without jealousy? I think if I name a few show flowers without description, 

 leaving time to develope them, will be the best way I can manage. Certain it 

 is that never were there so few; but still there are a few gems, both Fancies and 

 show flowers. I place them according to my own idea of merit : — 



Charles Turner (Keynes). Lord Dundreary (Turner). 



Caractacus (Turner). Lord Russell (Silver). 



Count Cavour (Edwards). Princess Alice (Edwards). 



Serenity (Bawlings). Bellona (Harrison). 



Lord Wiltshire (Dodds). Charlotte D oiling (Turner). 



Mrs. Hogg (Bawlings). Mrs. Hobhs (Hohhs). 



These twelve are the cream of the show flowers for this season. 



FANCY FLOWERS. 



There are six, I think, very first-rate — namely, — 

 Patent (Keynes). The Bride (Eawlings). 



Countess Shelburn (Turner). Symmetry (Legge). 



Mrs. Wickham (Eawlings). The Beau (Eawlings). 



All these I am sure will give satisfaction to every buyer. There may be 

 many more coming out that I have not seen, but the above are according to my 

 own judgment. I hope next season will prove more prolific in good things. I 

 bloomed 35,000 seedlings, and have hope of something good; and I trust many 

 others who have taken the trouble to grow seedlings may be rewarded for their 

 pains. 



Salisbury. John Keynes. 



SMOOTH CAYENNE PINE. 



I have no intention of entering into a controversy with your intelligent 

 correspondent " M. S.," but will take the liberty of stating the following facts 

 as to the keeping properties of this Pine Apple : — 



On the 15th of September I removed a few fruit from the fruiting Pine-pit 

 and placed them in a cool shady vinery. Here they remained for three weeks, 

 and were then removed to a cool seed-room and remained there till the 21st of 

 October, when one fruit was sent to table which had all the appearance of 

 keeping in a sound condition for another month. On the 23rd of October 

 another fruit was cut weighing 7^- lbs., and it cut up as sound and fresh as 

 though it had ripened only a few days before. When removed from the pit 

 they were quite ripe, and of a beautiful golden yellow. Some Queens that 

 were removed to the same quarters, at the same time, got soft and spongy, and 

 had to be sent to table some time before the Smooth Cayennes were cut. 



