64 
THE FLORIST. 
OBSERVATIONS ON 
MR. EDWARDS’ REMARKS “ ON RAISING SEEDLINGS.” 
WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS UPON THE PANSY AS AN ORNAMENT 
TO THE FLOWER-GARDEN. BY MR. D. NICKL1N. 
Great praise is due to Messrs. Turner and Edwards for their papers 
contributed to The Florist; but I could not suppress a smile on 
reading the latter gentleman’s earnest recommendation to nursery¬ 
men to turn their attention to any thing in their trade, rather than 
attempt to raise seedlings. The remarks that I shall make upon 
this subject are offered in the same spirit of kindness that I am 
ready to give Mr. Edwards full credit for, and which should always 
influence us in these friendly discussions. No one can be an en¬ 
thusiastic cultivator of florists’ flowers without feeling desirous of 
seeing improvements effected; and how can this desire be gratified 
but by the raising of seedlings ? How admirably is this touched 
upon in Dr. Horner’s contribution in the last Number of The Florist! 
How can Mr. Edwards suppose the nurseryman can give up what 
has so long formed his chief enjoyment; watching his minute charge 
rising through the various stages of their growth, gradually gaining 
strength, until, arriving at maturity, they burst forth, gratifying the 
eye with their hitherto hidden beauties ? If nurserymen, as a body, 
had been without success, there would have been a better ground for 
Mr. E.’s recommendation, but this has not been the case; they may 
be behind amateurs, which I am by no means sorry to hear asserted, 
although that may be considered as an open question. 
I think it exceedingly desirable that we in the trade should 
redouble our exertions, and take every proper method to ensure 
the production of some good seedling flowers. This will act as a 
powerful stimulant to amateurs, who will endeavour to go a-head, 
and keep their vantage-ground. 
With respect to the practice alluded to by Mr. E., of nurserymen 
robbing their plants of the chance of producing fine seed, by cutting 
their best blooms for exhibition, I can only say, that amateurs, suc¬ 
cessful exhibitors too, are alike open to his censure. But I believe 
that both nurserymen and amateurs keep reserve-beds expressly for 
seeding, and from which they gather the foundations of their hope 
of raising something good. In conclusion, I can assure Mr. Edwards, 
that he will never be able to induce nurserymen to adopt his sug¬ 
gestion,—to “ turn their attention to any other part of their duties 
than that of raising seedlings.” 
To proceed with the other subject, it has been with me a matter 
of surprise that the Pansy has not occupied a more prominent place 
in every flower-garden than it appears to have done. It is the very 
plant for such a position. Of dwarf habit, elegant foliage, and 
abundant blossom, and possessing another excellency, that its chief 
and best blossom is put forth when the flower-garden is but scantily 
supplied with Flora’s loveliness. Whilst viewing a celebrated garden 
