150 
THE FLORIST. 
MR. GROOM’S TULIPS. 
To those who have visited this superb collection of Flora's gayest 
spring ornament, the Tulip, we say nothing; but we do say to those 
who have not seen it, that they have lost a treat of which they will 
do well to avail themselves next year, as far as they have opportu¬ 
nity ; for it is rare to meet with so large a collection of this flower 
as Mr. Groom has at Clapham Rise. They cover nearly an acre of 
ground. * 
The past season has not been one of the finest for flowering 
Tulips in perfection, yet Mr. Groom’s best bed, which was stated to 
contain nearly 2000 flowers, presented, as indeed might be expected, 
a grand display. This is the “ consummation so devoutly to be 
wished.” In this the heart of the Tulip-grower rejoices, and the 
pure and exquisite enjoyment which he derives from the contempla¬ 
tion of his favourites, amply repays him for the care he takes in 
guarding the tender foliage from injury after the brilhant assemblage 
of gay tints has passed, and for the long and cheerless season of 
repose which is essential to a fine display in the succeeding spring. 
In passing hurriedly along the principal bed, which is 140 feet in 
length, we noticed beautiful blooms of Duke of Norfolk, Dickson’s 
Duke of Devonshire, Strong’s King, Aglaia, Bacchus, Marshal Soult, 
Beteral’s Brulante, Lac, Pandora, Groom’s Victoria Regina, Bowler’s 
Everard, Catalan!, Polyphemus, David, Michael Angelo, Princess 
Charlotte, Queen Adelaide, Marcellus, Addison, Violet Quarto, 
Queen Charlotte, Baron GersdorfF, and many other favourite sorts. 
These are a few, and but a few, of the best; for among so much that 
was good it was difficult to choose. In conclusion, it is perhaps 
worthy of remark that Mr. Groom had some thousands of breeders, 
from among which something good was expected. 
»THE FLORIST.” 
It was with much pleasure that I first heard of your intention to 
publish a monthly periodical devoted to florists’ flowers, under the 
appropriate title of The Florist. Never was there a greater want of 
such a publication, which must form a desideratum to three descrip¬ 
tions of persons, viz. the growers, the raisers, and the sellers of florists’ 
flowers; and, if managed in a perfectly independent manner, I doubt 
not it will prove equally useful to all parties. 
First, then, what was wanted by the grower was some publication 
to which he could confidently refer for a true and just character of 
all new flowers : longing perhaps to have all that is as good and dis¬ 
tinct, yet having nothing to guide him in his selection, he has often 
possibly been induced to buy all that he sees advertised ; on blooming 
which, instead of finding all he has bought really distinct and good, 
he has the mortification to find he has a great deal that is utterly 
worthless. This disappointment in many cases has doubtless caused 
disgust, and a consequent abandonment of the fancy. For instance. 
