198 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
mirer, to be the great drawback to their otherwise “ penect 
beauty, and a probable reason for their yet comparatively 
limited cultivation. 
Varieties of the colours we have mentioned are easily pro¬ 
cured, and a commencement might be made even in the pre¬ 
sent season, by obtaining seed from any or all of them, for 
they are late flowerers; and being generally allowed to bloom 
as they will, there would be little trouble in finding plants in 
a fitting condition. The seed, we think, will be more likely 
to produce the desired result, if kept clear of all cross impreg¬ 
nation, as it is the colours of existing kinds that is wanted, 
combined with some better forms; the latter point must be 
a work of time, and will be gained in the usual way, by select¬ 
ing the best among the seedlings when they flower. We repeat 
our opinion, that it is likely the colours will be preserved with 
greater purity by this mode, than if a cross of other colours be 
made, and for this reason should prefer it, even though the 
mixing promise a more speedy improvement in shape : still in 
another season it may not be amiss to try some cross-breeds 
between the best formed flowers and others of the desired 
colours; every advance, or even alteration, in the direction 
pointed out, ought to be regarded with eyes of favour, until it 
will become necessary to apply the rigorous test to which the 
prevailing strain are now subject. 
It is not likely, however, that those who have passed years 
in the untiring pursuit of fine flowers according to the present 
taste will give them up to begin de novo upon another colour. 
This would require too great a stretch of patience and philan¬ 
thropy for even a florist; and we do not expect it of them. Let 
those who have the means continue to produce as they are now 
doing ; but for the beginner, whose chance of competing with 
the more established raiser is so remote, this suggestion holds 
forth the most flattering hopes. He may thu£ strike out for 
himself an entirely new line of operations, in which all will 
start equally, and it is of him we must expect whatever may 
result. 
Our illustrations this month are two seedlings of, we believe, 
1845, raised by Mr. Lyne. No. 1. Marmion, is a flower of ex¬ 
cellent properties, the dark crimson feathered upper petals, 
softening to a much paler margin, contrast prettily with the 
white centre and rosy under petals. No. 2. Hesperus, has also 
