68 
NEW FLOWERS. 
resorted to, to draw an ugly specimen into shape ; the plants may 
be grown so as to require no support or straining in themselves, 
but their flowers must be held erect in such a manner that one 
may not injure another when moved ; and if properly done the 
foliage will conceal the means by which it is effected. J. W. 
THE NEW FLOWERS OF THE SEASON. 
Now that cultivators will be about to make their additions by 
purchase of the season’s novelties, we may perhaps render some 
assistance by a brief review of the notes taken of such as were 
seen in the neighbourhood of the metropolis. The task of dis¬ 
praising being so invidious, we shall leave out all we think in¬ 
ferior, and mention only such as appeared the best. 
Dahlias. Oakley’s Gem, unquestionably the “gem” of the 
season, is a fine-formed flower, with petals of good substance, 
smooth and well shaped ; fills well in the centre without confu¬ 
sion ; colour white, tinged but slightly with yellow, and edged 
evenly with bright lilac ; is said to be very constant. 
Collinson’s Shylock, being a dark scarlet, will be very useful. 
It is a decided improvement on anything we have of the colour ; 
the flower is large, showy, and well formed, leaving little to be 
desired, except a trifling alteration of the eye. 
Stein’s Richard Cobden. This, though somewhat common in 
colour, is much to be admired for its rich, smooth, well-arranged 
petals, and will be found a standard variety. 
Keynes’s Walter Hilton. A first-rate back-row flower, with a 
remarkable depth of petal, the only drawback being, as is usual 
with large flowers, a slight depression of the eye; colour buff, 
shaded with orange. 
Gaines’s Mont Blanc. White, but not pure; in every other 
respect first-rate. 
Golden Fleece (Metrop. Union) is a most desirable colour, and, 
was it a little brighter, might be called amber. As regards other 
properties, it is at least of average quality. 
Dahlias—Fancy Varieties. The great improvement visible in 
these is a striking instance of the success ever attendant on well- 
directed, persevering skill, and must offer much encouragement 
to the young florist; but few of those now brought forward are 
at all behind what, only a short time since, was considered per- 
