THE 
FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
October 1, 1840. 
ON THE HEARTSEASE, OR PANSY. 
BY MR. JOHN HENCHMAN, OF EDMONTON. 
One of the greatest triumphs of hybridisation has been achieved 
in the case of the heartsease, or pansy ; a fact which may easily be 
demonstrated by instituting a comparison between the “ viola 
tricolor,” or common field pansy, and the hybrid varieties exhibited 
in the Plate attached to this Number, or any of the splendid 
varieties to be found in the numerous collections of this favourite 
flower. The grand stimulating causes, to which may be traced the 
rapid progress towards perfection which, during the last ten 
years, has been so visible in the pansy, are, unquestionably, the 
competition and rivalry excited and cherished by the institution of 
Floricultural Societies throughout the kingdom. It is idle to 
suppose, that the high prices asked and obtained for certain 
specimens of the pansy, possessing the desirable qualities of shape, 
colour, size, &c. would have been generally given, except for the 
purposes of exhibition, because for border ornament many varieties 
which to the exhibitor are worthless, are more appropriate than 
those which are purchased at a high price for exhibition. While, 
on the other hand, it is equally certain that, had the maximum 
price of the pansy been that usually demanded for mere border 
varieties, the assiduity, perseverance, and skill, by the exercise 
of which the pansy has been elevated to its present standing, would 
not have been expended on its cultivation. 
VOL. I. NO. vii. u 
