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THE FLORIST. 
That there has existed a degree of reluctance in admitting Roses 
within the pale of florists' flowers must be allowed, but that has now 
given way, and surely never was an election of a more lovely candidate 
made to that band of beauties ; nor can I believe that the suppoiters of 
the other favourites will not rejoice in the advancement ot this woi ld- 
renowned Gem to her throne as the Queen of flowers. 
Should “ the fates ” be propitious to us, what may we not anticipate 
will be the delight of our truest friends, “ the ladies,” to witness “ this 
joyous joust.” That the arrangements will be in every way judicious 
the promoter’s name is sufficient, backed as he is by such well-known 
seconds. Let only the committee be protected by a subscription list, 
that no check should be put on their exertions, and then shall we have 
a more delightful accession to the floral treats of the metropolis than could 
have been anticipated. Let there be no want of volunteers to strengthen 
the hands as well as the means of the pioneers of this opening campaign, 
so that we may confidently look forward to the annual renewal ot this 
unequalled assemblee des Beautes. 
An Old Moss. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
March 2. —Rev. L. Vernon Harcourt, V.P., in the chair. Five new 
members were elected. A large number of interesting subjects was 
contributed on this occasion. Of Hyacinths, four collections ot eighteen 
were furnished by nurserymen. Messrs. Cutbush, of Highgate, had 
the best; they consisted of Duke of Wellington, pale blush, with very 
large well formed bells, one of the best, if not the best, double variety 
in cultivation. Bloksberg, soft pale blue ; this variety has the lower 
half double and the upper single, is a sturdy grower, and has fine 
foliage. Laurens Koster, bright indigo, double, and well-formed, and 
in the shape of a good specimen is, from its peculiar colour, very striking. 
Madame Marmont, a very pleasing double variety, of a delicate lilac 
shading off to blue towards the middle of the petals, bells finely formed, 
but scarcely produced in sufficient quantity for exhibition purposes. 
Prins van Saxe Weimar, bright azure blue, in a very long spike, thickly 
studded with single bells. La Joyeuse, rosy pink, with stripe of red 
down the middle of the petals ; a very fine looking single variety, wdth 
long spike, and many bells. Madame Hodgson, somewhat like the last 
named, but of a lighter colour, and has a better formed spike. Solfa- 
terre, apparently the best single red grown, being a glowing orange 
scarlet, and having a fine spike ; in a large collection this w r as the most 
striking variety. Voltaire, blush, a single variety, bells well formed, 
and spike of moderate length, foliage short and strong. Baron van 
Tuyll, dark porcelain blue, single, fine spike, and a favourite variety. 
Charles Dickens, single, ground colour light blue, with broad stripe of 
purple in centre of each petal, and has a good spike. Couronne de 
Celle, pale blue, the footstalks of the bells being of a darker colour, 
which has a good effect; bells finely formed, and spike as much as 11 
inches in circumference. Orondates, dark porcelain blue, single, bells 
