322 
THE FLORIST. 
if a point be gained in size by such extravagant thinning, many 
advantages are lost. 
I have before stated that some varieties require very different 
management to others, and this appears to be the principal difficulty. 
There are many that should be allowed to run to a head of buds 
before disbudding is commenced; and with such kinds it is well to 
examine the young buds minutely, and remove those that appear to 
be long, or in any way imperfect, leaving such only as are round and 
have a healthy appearance. This advantage cannot be extended to 
those that are generally small, and require thinning and disbudding 
at an earlier period. Such varieties as Queen of Roses, Nonpareil, 
Louis Philippe, Shylock, Bermondsey Bee, Mrs. Anderson, and 
Standard of Perfection, belong to the latter class; while Beeswing, 
Miss Vyse, Andromeda, The Hero, Toison d’Or, Box, and such flowers, 
must not be disbudded so early or so hard. There are many varieties 
that require an intermediate course of treatment. 
The great object in view will be a long and even succession of 
good-sized blooms ; and this desirable end can be gained by judi¬ 
cious management. As soon as thinning and disbudding has com¬ 
menced, the plants should be gone over twice a-week, cutting away 
but little at a time from such as may require the knife ; and, from a 
little observation, it w r ill soon be apparent which those are. 
There is little difficulty in growing any variety the second sea¬ 
son, or such as we have made ourselves acquainted with the habit and 
peculiarities of, by seeing them growing, before they have come into 
our possession. 
The roots having taken up very wet this autumn, the soil, if 
intended for Dahlias next year, should be thrown up in ridges in 
large spits, so that it may drain and sweeten in the frosty weather, 
say till February; it can then be turned, if in a dry state, and be 
properly broken to pieces. 
On a future occasion, we intend offering our opinion on the points 
of perfection in the Dahlia, and on the best manner of deciding 
upon stands of blooms placed for exhibition, as we widely differ from 
much we have seen and heard expressed upon this subject during the 
past season. If we urge any erroneous views, we desire to remain 
open to conviction, and shall weigh well the opinions of successful 
cultivators and exhibitors. C. Turner. 
Chalvey, near Slough. 
THE HOLLYHOCK. 
I have been much pleased to see in No. X., p. 276, that Mr. 
Neville had drawn attention to this favourite flower. The specimens 
exhibited at the South London and Norwich floricultural shows this 
summer have given the public an opportunity of judging for them¬ 
selves, and of seeing some of the improvements which have taken 
