( Z2 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
Picotee and Carnation cultivators. Perhaps never before was 
so much encouragement held out for the improvement of the 
Picotee as is apparent at the present time, certainly never in 
so judicious a manner; and we are pleased to see that dealers 
are becoming more alive to their own true interests. Instead of, 
as used to be the practice, first supplying the amateur with a 
small collection, who buys for the pleasure of a little friendly 
rivalry with his compeers, and, in nearly all cases, expends on 
the improvement and enlargement of his stock three times the 
value of any prizes he may obtain; instead of raising false ex¬ 
pectations, and then damping the ardour of the beginner by 
competing with, and, of course, from the difference in numbers, 
beating him in all his attempts ; the dealer, forsaking that re¬ 
prehensible practice, now finds it far more advisable to give 
rather than receive prizes. The inducement of a silver cup 
few can withstand; and the grower who liberally offers it is as 
liberally rewarded, by the increase of orders received from those 
who otherwise become disgusted with a pursuit in which they 
meet with no success. 
To all who grow or admire these flowers, the ensuing season 
promises to be one of no ordinary interest; we hear of ex¬ 
hibitions to be held in all quarters, and arranged to suit all 
competitors. Besides the principal metropolitan show of the 
South London Floricultural Society, there is promised an in¬ 
crease in the prizes at Chiswick and the Regent’s Park meet¬ 
ings ; and there are also, at least, a dozen other smaller societies 
located on all sides of town, to mention which and the provincial 
meetings talked of, is impossible, for their name is Legion. 
The best of the latter, in all probability, will be, that at the 
Coppice near Nottingham, and the proposed new one at Salis¬ 
bury. “ May we be there to see I” — Ed. 
A FEW HOMELY REMARKS ON OUR HOME 
FLOWERS. 
Without presuming to dictate what shall be admitted into, or 
rejected from general estimation, may I be allowed to offer a 
few remarks on behalf of some very humble favourites of mine, 
our native orchidaceous plants. 
