24 THE FLORIST AND 
Bishop of Hereford is a good useful flower, of average pretensions. It is 
not, however, as many supposed, one of the best of its year : the frequency 
of its appearance is a pledge of its constancy. Bob has scarcely realized 
our expectations. The brilliancy of its color, and the dearth of good bright 
scarlets, will secure it a place in collections for some time to come. 
British Queen maybe spared without inconvenience. Exquisite is not a 
constant flower, but so extremely beautiful at times that most growers will 
be disposed to find a place for it, on the chance of a good bloom. Grand 
Duke is one of the useful class. Lilac King has been occasionally first-rate. 
At its very best it may be superior to Fearless, but cannot be compared 
with that fine old variety in respect of constancy. Ma Beaute has 
made no display, and may therefore be presumed to be a failure. Miss 
Caroline i» very desirable. It is a flower of remarkable depth, and if not 
quite so constant as might be wished, it is far more so than Marchioness of 
Cornwallis, whose vacant place it so worthily occupies. M. Dugere has not 
been much shown ; this is a pretty rather than a fine fiower. Those who 
have it not m'ay contrive to get on sufficiently well without it. Plantagenet 
has not been much exhibited. It is a very fine flower, but rarely to be had 
in first-rate condition. It is a good deal after the fashion, of — and at times 
far superior to — Mr. Seldon ; but while we can always depend upon a bloom 
of the old variety, but slight reliance can be placed upon the new. Queen 
Victoria has been exhibited on one occasion only, when it created quite a 
sensation. Shall we be going too far if we venture to predict that, as a 
show flower, we have "looked our last" on this variety. Robert Bruce has 
been shown on most occasions, still it is anything but a good flower. It 
may retain its place for the present, being one of that class which — never 
first-rate — is always to be found in tolerable condition. Sir John Franklin 
is a very variable kind, depending much on soil and cultivation. Under 
good management it comes out magnificently; but as produced by the 
majority of growers it presents but a meagre appearance. To do' this 
flower justice, several plants should be grown, and but very few buds left on 
each ; moreover the operation of disbudding should be commenced as soon 
as the buds are developed ; if a number of them be allowed to attain a con- 
siderable size, their free removal at that period will do little towards the 
production of large blooms. Transcendant has not been good enough to 
appear in public. Its centre is irretrievably bad, and it may be consigned 
to the border or manure heap without the slightest compunction. 
A few words respecting the fancy Dahlias. The varieties sent out in 
1853 were not numerous. Attraction has been now and then exhibited : a 
