10 THE FLORIST. 
with such a sweet humility as filled mine eyes with tears) ‘I trust 
that I cannot be wrong in believing that, year by year, as I grow older, 
I draw nearer to a garden of perfect beauty and eternal rest, a garden 
more glorious than that which Adam lost, the Eden and the Paradise 
of Gop.” 
_ There was an interval of thoughtful, healthful silence, after Mr. 
Oldacres had spoken; and we too, my readers, will pause here, if you 
please, before I introduce to you another member of our club, whom I 
hope you may like as much as I do,—my young friend, Mr. Chiswick, 
from the Hall. ; 
Sy Re Ee 
SPERGULA PILIFERA. 
THERE have been few things about which so much has been said as 
about this new introduction—a discovery, it is declared, to be put on a 
par with steam, gas, electric telegraphs, &c.; and as statues are erecte i 
to the discoverers of the above—as James Watt and Robert Stephenson 
have their names written in their country’s annals—so, it is asked, why 
not erect a statue to the glorious Scotchman who has made this dis- 
covery for the gardening world? A colossal statue in the transept of 
the Crystal Palace, or in Barnum’s New York Museum, has been 
suggested. There are unfortunately, however, differences of opinion as 
to its merits ; and perhaps, before a subscription list is opened for the 
purpose, it would be well to ascertain what are really its merits or 
demerits. The Editors of the Florist feel assured that many of their 
subscribers have tried it, and would therefore feel greatly obliged if they 
would favour them with the result of the experiments, detailing, 
Ist, where the seed or, plants were procured ; 2nd, in what way it has 
been tried—whether as edgings, patches, or a lawn; 3rd, the result of 
the trial, as to trouble, time, expense, and effectiveness, compared with 
Grass. They will thus, by comparing their own experience with that . 
of others, be able the better to give a decided opinion upon it. | 
NEW LATE PEAR—PRINCE ALBERT. 
ALTHOUGH we possess an endless variety of Pears, the majority are 
either early or of the middle season, therefore a good late Pear is very 
desirable, to extend the season of melting Pears to a later period, and 
doubtless this kind will prove a great acquisition, as it surpasses the 
Beurré Rance both in beauty and quality, and appears to keep longer 
than that good variety. ‘The fruit is well formed and even in outline, 
skin greenish lemon yellow, dotted over thickly with obscure brown 
specks, and at times a good deal spread with rich brown when fully 
exposed to the sun, and sometimes slightly tinged with red; stalk about 
an inch long, stout, and usually inserted obliquely, and set without 
cavity; calyx small and stiff; eye small, and slightly sunk in a shallow 
