1877. ] 
THE NORTHERN TULIP RITOWH. 
ICl 
predecessors, and the degree of perfection reached, it is little to he wondered at 
that its progress should he slow, and that to some minds, not. carefully noting 
successive seasons’ work, the advance should he impercejdihle. But no one who 
gives an attentive consideration to the facts can fail to note, not only that, an 
advance has heen made, hut that the rate of progress in everything that 
constitutes beauty in the flower, as stoutness of petal, breadth, smoothness, fine 
texture, richness and regularity of colouring, and harmonious distribution, has 
advanced and is yet advancing in a measure our foi’efathers knew not of; and I 
cannot hesitate to believe that this advance has heen obtained by the better 
knowledge of, and the better practice followed in, seeding. Shortly after T was 
located at Derby, no^v closely verging upon the forty years I have already referred 
to, it was gravely suggested to me by the then supposed best-informed Carnation 
and Picotee-grower of the town, who observed my use of a small camers-hair 
pencil in the fertilisation of the ovary, that “ I w^as running a great risk, 
for nature had her own methods, and would not be interfered with, 
and I had far better leave the work to the bees or the wind.” And 
it was many years before such crass ignorance could be dissipated. Now, 
we go forward, almost I might venture to say by regular steps, and though, of 
course, mistakes will be made, and disappointments come, as when long- 
continued in-breeding or immature seed develops disease or debility, yet we never 
go back to masses of confused narrow petals and broken markings, which were 
not unknown even in my younger days. Now, tliough our requirements are far 
more exacting, wc obtain, not, as Hogg, who, in his day, was, I believe, the 
most advanced of florists, “ one seedling in a hundred worth saving,” and that 
*’ always a lottery,” a thing of chance, but a progeny, as surely to be reckoned 
on as the produce of the most highly-bred herds, or other carefully selected and 
cultured stocks. Tliis will go forward, possibly, if not probably, in an increasing 
]‘atio. And very grateful should we be to that Almighty Power which has placed 
within tire reach of His creatures such a power to develop beauty, and such a 
source of innocent, untiring enjoyment.—E. S. Dodwell. 
THE NOETIIERN TULIP SHOWS. 
Annual Exhibition of the Royal National Tulip Society, which 
took place in the Manchester Botanical Gardens, was tliis year fixed for 
May 25, but was necessarily postponed till June 5, on account of the 
backwardness of the flowers; and even that date proved too earl}^ foi’ 
many growers, who could then scarcely put in an appearance. The Society, under 
the able presidency and secretaryship of S. Barlow, Esq., of Stakehill House, 
Chadderton, is, we are glad to see, maintaining its ground, since it has increased 
its membership, notwithstanding heavy losses by death during the past few years. 
The following are some of the principal awards at the recent Exhibition :— 
Tivelve Dissimilar Tulips, ivio feathered and two flamed in eacdi class:—1st, Mr. W. 
^YhittaUer, Salford, with Mrs. Lea and Industry, feathered, and Sarah IToadly and Mrs. Lea, 
