COMPANION TO THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 
59 
mind that can pass by flowers with indifference is not to be envied. In 
flower shows, also, of late years a marked improvement is manifest, and 
much increase of interest centres in the stands of florists’ flowers. 
Now everything should he done to foster and develope these floral pro¬ 
pensities, and the welcome which the English nation has given to the 
Princess Alexandra suggests one particular in which amateurs and dealers 
are alike interested, and to which, if attention be paid, an impulse for im¬ 
provement rather than a check may be given. There are sure to be 
“ Alexandra” seedlings in every class of flow r er; let the floral public find, 
in those at least that bear this name, something beautiful, and something 
which really we feel a pride in possessing and welcoming. We know 
full well the tenderness with which a seedling raiser regards his own rear- 
lings :—he is the mother—they are the children, and each thinks his own 
the best. He rejoices to have something to introduce to public notice; 
or, if his pocket is interested, he can scarcely be persuaded to forego the 
sale of those novelties (?) which command better prices as such. In fact, 
he makes market of bis monopoly to those who are, alas ! too confiding 
and curious about what is new, rather than satisfied with good till proved 
better ones are introduced. But he damages alike his own credit as a 
raiser, he sews up the pocket of purchasers with the needle of disappoint¬ 
ment, and when he does raise a real “ wolf” seedling, former dupes heed 
not his cry. 
Now w T e would suggest something of an ordeal by which all seedlings 
should be tested, in order to establish the confidence of purchasers, 
whether they be Verbenas, Pelargoniums, Pansies, Hollyhocks, Dahlias, 
or other florists 5 flowers, with which the lists, books, brains, and gardens 
of dealers have been deluged, in very questionable degrees of variety or 
improvement. It may be all very well for printers or label makers, but 
not for florists or dealers. 
Now, Mr. Raiser, you have had much trouble with your seedlings, and 
have been buoyant with hope; but if you will be patient and judicious 
you will ultimately reap the benefit of these qualities, in addition to that 
of all your painstaking. Don’t expect too much : you can’t hope to have 
many worth keeping from your seedling beds. One by one the blooms 
appear : the bad ones disappear; but there are some doubtful ones, and 
these cause the mischief. Now don’t be sparing, give them away, sell them 
for 2s. 6d. a dozen (that will pay you), and only keep the cream. Bring 
none of these out until you have well proved them during one season : 
show them to three or four competent judges, who know what a flower 
ought to be, and v’ho are acquainted with existing varieties: invite 
criticism, and again get rid of the buttermilk, and do your best with the 
butter itself. Then will be your reward ; you can give a fair and full de¬ 
scription, adding the variety to which each is an improvement; amateurs 
will soon see them and ask each other, “ Have you seen Mr. Raiser’s 
f Alexandra’? You must have it, everybody should grow it.” Don’t 
