THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ Mat, 
72 
I italicise the words on which I desire to 
offer a brief comment; but first, I should like 
to say the practice of dressing is permitted 
and practised in every class; and secondly, the 
grower referred to did in a fashion dress his 
flowers, though in a manner and with an 
effect far inferior to, let us say, a Turner. 
Now, as to the evidence on which this assump¬ 
tion of the greater attraction of “undressed ” 
flowers for the general public rests. I have 
lived through a long floricultural life, and 
have had a considerable experience of Carna¬ 
tion and Picotee shows, and, as was the case at 
the exhibition in question, I have rarely 
known shows at which, from lack of oppor¬ 
tunity, numbers of flowers have not been 
shown without the aid the final touch of a 
skilful dresser confers. Seventy-two flowers 
of my own were in this state in two large 
boxes, and some others from other cultivators. 
Thus the opportunity was afforded of deter¬ 
mining, by indisputable evidence, this assumed 
attraction. And I am bound to record it is 
based on no foundation whatever. At no 
time throughout the day were the prize-stands, 
more especially the very fine collection of 
twenty-four seifs and fancies shown by Mr. 
Turner, without a crowd of eager admirers 
and equally eager inquirers ; but at no time 
throughout the day did even two or three 
assemble in the neighbourhood of the un¬ 
dressed and therefore only partially developed 
flowers. 
I think it is to be regretted that writers in 
a position potentially to bias the general public 
should put forth assumptions formed without 
even an attempt to ascertain their base, and 
which a few hours of patient attention would 
show to be unfounded in fact. 
No one can have graduated in floriculture 
without being aware that its every process is, 
from time to time, excepted to by some who, 
instead of studying those processes, and thereby 
learning how truly they are developments of 
Nature, are for ever harking back upon some¬ 
thing they are pleased to imagine could be, of 
course without effort, attained by “ all and 
singular,” a state of affairs they apparently 
think so satisfactory, that they clearly do not 
know that the attainments of “ all and 
singular ’’ would bring mankind to the level of 
the new-borp baby, or to push the subject yet 
further into the realms of the ridiculous, to 
the status of the savage. 
Lovers of flowers, like lovers of other forms 
of beauty, bring their productions together for 
the purpose of determining the development of 
Nature possible to Art; and those acquainted 
with the rules within which the florist works, 
and will continue to work, know well there is 
no possibility of Nature being degraded, or the 
lustre of Art tarnished in the process. 
I should have desired these remarks to 
appear in the paper which has been the occa¬ 
sion of them, but as I learn the Country 
ceased to be issued with the death of the late 
Mr. Sei’jeant Cox. I shall greatly esteem your 
giving them publicity.—E. S. Dodwell. 
TREE CARNATIONS FOR 
BORDERS. 
HE Tree or Perpetual Carnation, in 
addition to its great value as a pot- 
plant for winter flowering, is one of 
the most useful plants for the border. The old 
plants are generally consigned to the rubbish- 
heap, after their winter bloom is over ; but if 
planted out, I know nothing more valuable 
than the tree Carnation for cutting from 
during the late summer and autumn months. 
The cultivation is a very simple matter, and 
can be made a source of great interest to the 
amateur, if carried out as I recommend. 
Sow the seed in spring, in a slight heat, in a 
light soil. When large enough to handle, prick 
the young plants out in pots or pans. When 
established, harden off, and plant out in pre¬ 
pared beds in the open ground from six to nine 
inches apart; keep them clean, and well watered 
if necessary, and by the end of September 
they will be nice plants to be potted up for 
winter and spring flowering in the greenhouse. 
I do not pretend to say the varieties will be 
equal to the named kinds, but many will be 
worth saving, and all will be useful. Those of 
the plants which do not yield blossoms can be 
turned out with the rest for summer flowering. 
It is surprising what a number of nice things 
are produced from a packet or two of seed 
such as is now sold by the principal seedsmen, 
as compared with the large proportion of singles 
that were produced in former days. 
To save the best kinds, I layer them at the 
usual time, potting up the layers in small 
pots, and wintering them in a cold frame or 
pit.—J. W. Laurence, Newstead Abbey , Not¬ 
tingham, 
