184 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
as the essential point of good management, to have a constant 
succession (we had almost said profusion) of flowers in this 
department, and are not satisfied that any man, having the 
necessary conveniences, should be designated a gardener, who 
cannot maintain this succession: still, to secure the desired 
display we must admit other than tender exotic plants, par- 
ticularly for winter ornament ; the chief aim at this season 
bein g flowers, those kinds may be allowed to contribute that at 
other periods would not be admissible, and the more hardy 
kinds which are easily produced in flower will be found the 
most useful. 
A great deal of care and skill is bestowed on some of our 
hardy flowering shrubs when required for forcing for the con¬ 
servatory or greenhouse, and with the happiest effects, for on 
forced or retarded flowers the winter decoration must depend, 
so few plants producing their flowers naturally at that time ; 
and in furtherance of this desirable object, we will endeavour 
in the present paper to extend the list of plants suitable to the 
purpose by pointing out some that have not yet received the 
attention we think they deserve, and by mentioning others that 
with little extra trouble may have their blossoms retarded 
almost at the operator's will. 
It is usual at this period of the year to prepare by potting, 
&c. roses, lilacs, rhododendrons, azaleas, kalmias, and deutzias, 
with occasionally one or two other favourite shrubs, for forcing 
purposes : these, by being placed into heat in succession, form 
the cultivator’s chief resource through the early spring months, 
and amply repay the trouble they occasion. Now if we consider 
the very great interest with which these common plants are 
observed in their altered situations, that is, ornamenting the 
interior of a plant structure or drawingroom, we may be certain 
that every addition, if possessing only a share of their beauty, 
will be acceptable : and what an extensive and beautiful range 
of subjects are presented to the purpose among hardy herba¬ 
ceous plants ! “ Flowers of every hue ” and of various heights 
and character are to be found in the class, most of them equal or 
even superior to the plants usually employed, certainly second 
to none, and it is only necessary to select with judgment, to 
insure a most desirable increase of early and late blossoms. 
There are a few hardy plants of this description, such as 
Vio/ci, Dianthus, &c., employed for the purpose; and, judging 
