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THE FLORIST. 
show that large symmetrical specimens could be grown without stakes, 
and complains that your reporter “ steers quite clear ” of this fact, and I 
think well he might, for the simple reason that it is no new thing for 
large and truly symmetrical specimens of Fancies to be exhibited without 
stakes ; in fact they do not require generally any stakes at all, some few 
varieties with long flexible growth being the exceptions, and stakes are 
never applied to the trusses, as is done to the large flowered class of 
Pelargoniums. 
But leaving Mr. T. to the enjoyment of his Fancies, I beg to say a 
few words on the subject of overpotting. I have been an ardent 
admirer and cultivator of the Pelargonium five-and-twenty years; 
and first I would remark that the best season for blooming the 
Pelargonium is the months of May and June, the finest bloom gene¬ 
rally opening between the 20th May and the 15th June; secondly, 
the bloom never attains perfection in size, substance or colour, unless the 
pot is full of roots, technically called pot-bound ; thirdly, that the final 
potting for bloom and the size of the “ shift” must depend upon the 
time the plants are required to be in bloom. Late potting and large 
shifts cause strong and long continued growth, retarding the bloom, and 
sometimes causing an irregular head, the growing shoots protruding 
above the bloom. 
Omicron. 
A FEW MORE WORDS AROUT ORCHARD HOUSES, 
I AM sorry to see by the last number of the Florist, that the “ Few 
Words about Orchard Houses ” in the November number, by “ Pomona,” 
have given Mr. Rivers offence. I beg to assure him, 1 did not intend 
my remarks to have that effect. From a love of truth, I was led to 
ask the writer of the “ Notice ” of the orchard houses at Sawbridge- 
worth, to give his “ opinion on fruit trees in pots; as to whether there 
is any real economy or decided advantage in growing them in pots, to 
planting them in borders of soil.” I thought some of the readers of the 
Florist might like to hear that opinion, therefore did I ask it through your 
pages. Having requested this opinion, I thought it could do no harm 
to state my own honest convictions on the subject. In doing so, I had not 
enough overweening self-conceit to fancy myself an oracle; I merely 
wished to show the interest I felt in a subject to which I have given 
much thought, and I always feel but too highly happy if a word or 
effort on my part can do any good. I know what it is to express an 
opinion contrary to that which may at the time be popular; I am 
not, therefore, surprised at Mr. Rivers’ remarks, but they do not 
discourage me. 
The few remarks I made, are only the expression of what I believe 
to be the truth ; and I would here beg leave to observe, that to render 
any opinions valuable, one condition is necessary—they must be frank, 
honest, and free. The person who writes, must write what he thinks; 
write courteously,but uncompromisingly. 
