ON THE LOVE OF FLOWERS. 
339 
public estimation; but new tribes have been lately brought into 
notice, which are of a much more ephemeral character; and from the 
great sensation evinced in behalf of those transitory beauties, there is 
fear lest the legitimate love of flowers diverge into that fatuity of mind 
called jiorimania . 
That our tastes and peculiar fancies are not always regulated by 
sound judgment and prudence needs no proof. “ De gustibus non est 
disputandum” is an old saying, but there is reason in all things. The 
leaders of fine taste in the floricultural world should endeavour to 
direct the public feeling to things truly valuable, and inculcate pure 
unsophisticated notions respecting the forms and tints of flowers which 
may be appreciable by every one. At present the distinctions between 
first, second, and third rate tulips, &c. are really so imperceptible to 
common eyes that much of the pleasure of looking at fine flowers is 
nullified for want of a little knowledge, which appears to be impounded 
in the heads of a few professional men. This information the public 
have a right to expect from floricultural societies, especially those who 
have periodical publications attached to them. These societies include 
some talented men, who, while they are engaged in promoting the 
culture and fostering the natural taste for flowers, should at the same 
time fix on those things for exhibition and prizes as will be henceforth 
real and lasting ornaments to our gardens. 
No one can object to such associations. Floriculture, as already 
observed, is one of the most rational and pleasing amusements; it 
tends to refine and humanise the rude or ruffled mind ; and those 
who take the lead in upholding it should aim at keeping it within 
reasonable bounds. The old stage, bed, and border flowers will never 
be abandoned; but all these, beautiful and sweet as they are, cannot 
be compared with the fuschias for elegance; the azalias and kalmias 
for delicacy; or with the rhododendrons, magnolias, and camellias for 
substantial and lasting grandeur. And yet, with regret be it stated, 
that there are perhaps thousands of these fine shrubs sold for a mere 
trifle, or annually committed to the flames in our nurseries, while 
the versatile calceolaria and mimulus, the lovely but puny hearts¬ 
ease, and the coarse though gaudy dahlia engross the attention and 
command the purses of every one who wishes to shine as a fashionable 
florist. 
