344. THE FLORIST. 
did upon those very delicate’ Roses’ and Tulips, which require. the 
protection of a bonnet. ' We caméaway, moreover, with quite a longing 
for Heartsease, and were ourselves most perfect examples of Sensitive 
Plants and ‘of Love-lies-bleeding’’ Buti all thisain figure, and that, 
figure a cypher. “We never looked’at ‘the flowers, nor thought of them, 
and’ when Iwas asked by” ‘a ‘friend ‘at Chiswick whether I had seen, 
that lovely ‘Pollysanthus, I-wrged him, to his grand) amusement, to 
point out at once the beauteous! Mary, ‘and,vif possible, to introduce me. 
I ‘never met ‘him afterwards, ‘but*hehadsomethmg facetious, as he 
supposed, to say in reference to my mistake. ‘‘ Should I like to know 
the lovely Hannah-Giallis, the celebrated Miss-Hmbryanthemum, the 
two great heiresses Miss Mary-G'old and Miss Annie-Money? Had 
I seen anything latterly of John-Quil, Bill-Bergia, or Stephen- Otis, 
&e., &e., &c.2” 
And so, sans ears, sans eyes, sans nose; I'wandered, flowerless, through 
a flowery world. ‘Some, perhaps, may ‘tellome ‘that it: was: better so,; 
that boyhood ‘should ‘find its’ recreations in active’ games, and youth in) 
the ‘sports of the field; and that floriculture is:incompatible with’ that 
hardy physical training, which hereafter: is to make the mans But I 
designate this doctrine humbug.’ Why should a boy be less brave or 
strong, if taught’ to appreciate the beautiful things about his daily path ; 
or why should ‘youth ride more’ timidly ‘to -hounds, because: it: had a 
flower ‘in its coat? There is°a’time for‘all things. A time to: tend 
some graceful plant, as well ‘as 'to kick a’ foot-ball ; a time togstore the 
heart with gentle attachments and refined tastes, as well: as to run and 
row ; a time to develope the intellectual as well as the physical powers. 
At length, to revert to my own ‘history, a brighter morn dawned 
upon my darkness. » A ‘smele: star, twinkling in ithe: firmament, first 
told the advent of a’ jocund day; and that star, my friends, was—A 
Rose! | | 
S. R. H. 
a es 
TURNER'S “ FAVOURITE” CUCUMBER. 
I sEE, by last month’s Florist, that the Horticultural Society denies the 
originality of ‘‘ Favourite.” For more than forty years Cucumber cul- 
ture has been my hobby, and, like all enthusiasts, I have ‘tried every* 
new introduction, in the hope of improving’ on my former collection, 
My application to Mr. ‘Turner for the best he’ ‘possessed was’ responded 
to by a packet of “ Favourite,” which I found to be such a combination 
of excellences, that I now grow no other. It recommends itself by high 
flavour, great produce, rapid growth, and universally perfect shape. I 
have now a cutting, still bearing, which ‘produced its’ first: fruit in 
February, and has yielded abundantly throughout the season. 
When a gardener secures such a Cucumber’as this; he troubles not 
himself with its origin or parentage—whether it sprang from Manchester 
or Slough is of no moment. If his profession be his delight, he will 
endeavour to preserve its purity by making it exclusive in his forcing- 
eround when the seed season comes round. | Wlge 
