270 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ December, 
of Florists' Flowers^ “ I do not scruple boldly to avow before tbe most fastidious, 
that it” (the florist’s) ‘‘is a pursuit not unworthy of a wise man, nor un¬ 
befitting a good one; it is elegant, instructive, scientific, and full of results.” 
Of Carnations and Picotees, albeit wondrously altered, and for the better, 
since first I knew and loved them, though I must not be understood as de¬ 
preciating any other flower—for, indeed, I love them all—I may say with 
another gifted writer, “ They were the marvel of my childhood and the admira¬ 
tion of my youth : in maturer age they lent a charm to many a mgged pathway 
on the journey of life ; in declining years they have been my familiar companions, 
and I shall continue to cherish them until my dying day.” 
Work for the Month. —The work of the cultivator will now be at its 
minimum. Keep the plants thoroughly clean, scratching the soil over from time 
to time, to prevent its becoming green, and carefully shield from drip. Frost will 
do no harm if the soil be fairly dry, but should it set in suddenly with the plants 
in rapid growth, care must be taken to thaw them slowly. On all sides the note 
of preparation for the coming season is being sounded. In the North, the pro¬ 
priety of the National Society holding two meetings instead of one is mooted. In 
the South, if opportunity be offered, it is likely the number of exhibitors—which 
in the past season was within one of the largest number known in the South for 
upwards of twenty years—will be largely augmented ; and it is gratifying to know 
that the spirits of florists never were more eager, or their unanimity of opinion so 
apparent, as they are at this*moment of completing my calendar.—E. S. Dodwell, 
11 Chatham Terrace^ Larlchall Rise^ Clapham. 
WALTHAM CROSS ORAPE. 
® EUE, this variety is of recent introduction, and its cultivation is rather 
limited, but I presume it is sufficiently extensive to enable many persons 
f to offer an opinion as to its merits. I speak of its properties advisedly, 
as my experience is not extensive ; still, I must say, from what I know 
of its qualities, that its advent fills up a gap amongst the white varieties of winter 
Grapes which has long been vacant. The quality is, to a considerable extent, 
inferior, as compared with the White Muscat of Alexandria, it being destitute of 
the particular aroma which characterises that variety, but it is much more easily 
managed, and keeps equally well. The bunch is long and heavily-shouldered, 
and in a cool vinery sets its fruit as^freely as a Muscadine. The berries are large, 
of an oval shape, crisp in the flesh, and when fully ripe, very sugary. I feel 
quite certain that when better known it will be much in request as a white 
winter grape. The constitution is vigorous, whether it be grown on its own 
roots or budded on the Hamburgh. I feel justified in saying it is superior to the 
White Tokay ; at least, such is my experience, however much the opinions of 
others may differ from mine. 
While on this subject, I may note that the White Lady Downe’s was sent out 
