THE FLORIST. 
331 
Though I have felt it a duty to speak in high terms of approba¬ 
tion of the valuable contributions of your supporters, with scarcely 
less pleasure do I refer to the admirable “ Calendar of Operations” 
it monthly contains. These of themselves form a complete com¬ 
pendium of floriculture ; and the well-arranged system of their 
being conducted by different individuals, all especially skilful in the 
culture of the flowers whose management they practically teach, is 
a feature in which The Florist possesses advantages not elsewhere 
to be found in any similar work; and its value to the less expert 
cannot too much be set forth. And yet this excellent principle of 
the work was not, at first, contemplated or promised to your sub¬ 
scribers. It is, however, but one example, of many others, in which 
the conductors of The Florist have performed more than they promised. 
That such would be the case I myself fully expected; inasmuch 
as it was stated by the conductor, that, in accordance with the mea¬ 
sure of support the work received, so should nothing be spared to 
increase yet more its value and eflEiciency ; though I fear his liberality 
prompted him to incur fresh responsibilities in the work in mere an¬ 
ticipation of such support. 
It is seen by recent announcement that the proprietors are ani¬ 
mated with yet higher views to augment The Florist, that it may 
become a complete standard of information; viz. by the engagement 
of regular correspondents in different parts of the country, as well as 
in the metropolis. Such position being attained, and efficiently car¬ 
ried out, nothing would be left in the completeness of the work. 
Whether florists and amateurs will enjoy the increased and vast ad¬ 
vantages of such a system rests, of course, wholly with themselves; 
let their active support be given, let them take but ordinary pains to 
make the work known in their own circle of friends, that its sub¬ 
scribers may be increased, and the end is at once accomplished; and 
it is they alone who will reap the benefit. For I need not repeat 
what is so well known to yourself, that it was not for private emo¬ 
lument or gain, but simply and truly for the promotion of floriculture 
and for the good of florists and amateurs, that this work was esta¬ 
blished ; and for which a few liberal and honourable-minded men 
incurred vast labour and responsibilities ; it is not, in truth, their 
own work, but that of the floricultural public ; and of myself I will 
confess, that it was this honourable and responsible position alone, 
into which the first promoters of The Florist had placed themselves 
for the benefit of others, that induced me to resume a long dormant 
pen, to aim, at least, by my contributions, in assisting such liberal 
and praiseworthy effort. 
I shall not allude to all the peculiar characteristics of the work, 
nor specify further “wherein it is worthy;” but, whether I look at 
the superior manner in which it is (in book-phrase) got up, at its 
type, its materials, the execution of its plates and woodcuts, &c., 
and above all, at the vast fund of information it contains, I cannot 
refrain from the expression to you of my approbation and thanks ; 
and deeply should all feel, with me, how much are w'e indebted to 
those gentlemen who, from motives so pure and disinterested, yet 
