DEpJfiMUER-. 



171 



to encourage progression, not retrogression. The Hyacinth having been 

 longer under cultivation than most other florists' flowers, is now improving, 

 but slowly ; and it is too much to expect that six new Hyacinths will appear 

 in any single year, surpassing or differing essentially from those already in 

 existence. Again, this flower is propagated very slowly. It takes at the least 

 from ten to twenty years from the time a seedling blooms till it is placed in the 

 market, and it is usually rare for many years afterwards. Thus new and rare 

 Hyacinths, if the zoord new is to be taken in its most restricted sense, would not 

 only produce a finer exhibition, but promote more surely the true interests 

 of floriculture. 



Holding these views, it is with regret that I see the alteration in the Royal 

 Horticultural Society's prize schedule for next spring, wherein the new 

 Hyacinths are restricted to the productions of a single year. I fear, but the 

 sequel will prove, that by thus qualifying a term, the Society is placed on the 

 horns of a delemma. Six Hyacinths of the current year will no doubt be 

 shown, and the best six the year produces ; but it is barely probable that they 

 will in the aggregate surpass those already under cultivation. Should the 

 Judges withhold the prize on the ground of indifferent quality, it will amount 

 to a censure on the rule ; if they award it, to a premium on retrogression. 



I have endeavoured to discuss this question on broad and open grounds, 

 conceiving that it should not be looked at from the narrow view of personal 

 interests only. Mr. C, like myself, is a born nurseryman, and I willingly bear 

 testimony to his zeal and skill in his profession, and heartily wish him God 

 speed. But questions like these, which involve the reputation of others, should, 

 if once started, be thoroughly sifted ; they have a powerful bearing on the 

 future. A good reputation is too precious a thing to be puffed away by an 

 inuendo. The Judges should know that there is a moral law equally powerful 

 to uphold the right as to restrain the wrong-doing. If, in this discussion, I 

 have used plain language, it is from no want of courtesy, but because I conceive 

 plain language to be the most proper vehicle for the conveyance of plain 

 truths. But, with every wish to be truly courteous, I confess that I have no 

 sympathy with the false delicacy and affectation of courtesy, now too prevelant, 

 of surrounding every question with such a cloud of "ifs" and "buts," as 

 to^ obscure the broad line existing between right and wrong, producing a 

 mischievous confusion of ideas, which cannot be unravelled except by those 

 who are possessed of unusual industry or more than ordinary powers of 

 discernment. 



Waltham Cross, X. William Paul. 



REMEDY FOR GRUB IN CARROTS. 



In your July Number of the Florist and Pomologist I observed a 

 remedy for grubs in Carrots ; and having some years since had the misfortune 

 to have a poor crop of Carrots, I was forced to try something. I hit upon 

 soot, not only for Carrots, but for Parsley, Sea-kale, and many other things. 

 But the question will naturally be, How did, or do you apply it ? For Carrots 

 I use it in this manner — I sow soot pretty thickly on the ground where it is 

 intended to sow Carrots, just Avhen I turn the ground over for the last time 

 before sowing, and I turn the soil over as roughly as possible, then sow soot 

 again, but not so thick as the first time. This I work-in with the hoe before 

 sowing the Carrot seed, and I have by this plan had for four seasons con- 

 tinuously splendid crops of Carrots, this season especially. 



Parsley I generally sow amongst Onions, and put soot in the ground while 



