FLORICULTURE. 
299 
prefer it almost at the point of saturation. The former conditions, indeed, apply for 
a greater part of the year, to the race of vegetables called succulents ; and the latter in an 
especial degree to the races of Orchids and Ferns. But besides these cases, a variation in 
the amount of atmospheric moisture is requisite at different periods of the growth of every 
plant ; and if one structure of a given temperature is to be kept constantly filled with 
plants in a state of growth, another must or ought to be provided for the same races in 
a state of rest, when different conditions both as to temperature and moisture are essential 
to their well-being. What kind of structure is best suited to plants in this state of rest, 
we have not space here to inquire. We only maintain that the atmospheric conditions must 
he different from those to which the same plants are subjected while in a state of growth. 
FLORICULTURE. 
By Mr. Dickson, Florist , Brixton Hill. 
Ihe Yellow Picotee. I have more than ordinary pleasure in inviting the attention of 
amateur florists to a consideration of the claims of the above beautiful race of flowers. 
Fashion is said to exercise an almost iron rule among her votaries : how far this may he 
the truth in some particular cases I will not take upon myself to determine, hut proceed 
to prove that in the matter in hand her mandates are not arbitrary, seeing that the amateur 
is left free to choose whether he will increase his pleasures by adopting a flower that has 
received her sanction or not. It is enough to state that a few years since the Yellow Picotee 
was considered all but inadmissible to the amateur s collection ; whether from its apparent 
want of attractions, or difficulty in developing such as it really did possess, I will not stop 
to inquire ; in all probability a combination of causes contributed to produce the effects we 
are attempting to delineate. Be this as it may, it was not till a few seasons since, not more 
than two or three I think, that some enthusiastic florist amateur took the flower in hand, 
resolving to try the hitherto invincible prowess in combating against floricultural diffi- 
culties (and their numbers in the affair alluded to were rather formidable) ; but per- 
severance has achieved wonders, and, as the engagement is still being carried on with all 
that indefatiguable zeal which distinguishes our amateur florist, there can be no question 
but in time, this race of plants will boast as many beauties as the Carnation or White 
Ground Picotee, and in order to lend a helping hand to bring about such a desirable 
consummation, I beg to offer the following suggestions founded on mature consideration 
of the subject in all its bearings, and supported by long and successful practice. The 
original Picotee was but a sport of nature from the Carnation, with a deep serrated edge. 
The first variety was Davey’s True Briton, from which, with these crosses, all the best 
varieties now in cultivation have been raised. As some argument has lately arisen as to the 
propriety of calling a Yellow Picotee after that name, some florists appearing to force 
the presumption that it ought to be called a Carnation, I shall briefly give my views of 
the subject, leaving it for my readers to judge of the solidity of my argument and form 
their own opinions on the same, by adopting or rejecting my ideas at their pleasure. 
Florists have usually distinguished the Carnation by its broad foliage and striped, or 
as as it is more commonly designated, flaked blooms, and smooth edge. The Picotee, on 
the contrary, is recognisable by its narrow foliage, spotted edge, usually serrated ; such as 
are not so, being greatly preferred. In self-coloured Carnations there are, it is true, many 
varieties of tint, besides reds ; the first self was a flesh-colour, hence the name Carnation, 
derivable from the Latin substantive carnis, flesh; there are likewise purples, and several 
other shades. The Picotee (which derives its name from the French participle piquettee, 
pencilled) also occasionally runs to a self ; but still florists find no difficulty in distinguish- 
ing such from the Carnation, when subject to the foregoing test, viz., the width of the 
foliage, and smooth or serrated edge. The first Yellow Picotee was raised in the Channel 
Islands, it had a deep serrated edge, and narrow foliage ; but if a yellow self were to be 
raised now with broad foliage and smooth edges of the petals, it would be called a Yellow 
