FLORICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE. 
191 
roses of autumn are destroyed by frosts or heavy rains. The number shown 
on the occasion alluded to was not very great, but some of them were choice, 
especially the hybrid variety Devoniensis. The heaths, the fuchsias, and seve¬ 
ral of the other flowering shrubs, were exceedingly fine; and the picottees 
were abundant, considering that the season was rather too early for them. Ahe 
number and diversity of subjects were, however, so great, and the choicest 
specimens of each had so many peculiar beauties, that no intelligible notice 
of them can be given, unless it were a detailed account seriatim ; and that 
would require a pretty large volume to do it justice. Fortunately, however, 
it is not the individual plants which are most interesting to the public : it is the 
evidence which the whole exhibition afforded of the attention which is paid to 
floriculture, and of the ample reward which that attention is receiving. 
Various other shows have taken place in the course of the month; but none 
of them equal to this one in extent, in interest, or in influence. 
This awakened spii’it of the love of floriculture, of flowers, and of every thing 
connected with flowers, is not confined to floricultural societies, metropolitan 
or provincial,—to the possessors of greenhouses, conservatories, and stoves, in 
which the plants of all regions may be successfully grown,—or even to those 
who have nothing but open gardens in which they can rear beds and borders of 
flowers : it has found its way to those who have only a few windows in the 
different apartments of their dwelling, or even a single window to the room 
which is their sole abode ; for even there they will have a flower, and vie with 
each other who shall have the finest one. The influence of this is more bene¬ 
ficial to the moral character of society than many are aware of; for the attach¬ 
ment of the people to an innocent pursuit, if strong enough, weans them from 
many others of the opposite class. Since the higher species of floriculture 
was introduced into the upper classes of society, there has been a great cold¬ 
ness towards the pursuits in which but too many of them were wont to engage ; 
and the chase, the betting-stand, and the gaming-table, have all fallen in the 
estimation of fashionable society, at least, with a few exceptions, since flowers 
became so much the objects of attention. As we descend in society the effects 
are perhaps still more beneficial, (although the example of the higher classes 
is in itself a great benefit;) for the love of flowers has withdrawn many of the 
middle classes from their out-door dissipation, and many of the humbler ones 
from the alehouse. 
Every thing in which the whole family, old and young, and females as well 
as males, can take a common interest, and which is innocent and pleasurable 
in itself, is a great and general blessing to society. The most numerous 
nation or community is but a family on a larger scale ; and if there is this 
similarity of feeling in families, there will not fail to be harmony in society, 
by means of which the people will work in concert, all classes doing good, 
and each contributing its portion to the welfare and happiness of the others. 
This is far more likely to be accomplished by that which is an amusement 
and a pleasure, than if it were a task imposed. Tasks are, of necessity, differ¬ 
ent in the different classes ; and so are many of the pleasurable and amusing 
occupations. The love and the culture of flowers, if pleasurable to all, are 
substantially the same in all ; and the simplest flower-pot differs not in kind 
from the most costly array of conservatories and stoves. 
