Superb Double Hollyhocks. SAFFRON WALDEN NURSERY. WILLIAM CHATER'S 15th ANNUAL DESCRIPTIVE and NEWLY CLASSIFIED LIST is now ready, and will be forwarded to any address on receipt of one postage stamp. WILLIAM CHATER, Nurseryman and Seedsman, Saffron Walden, Essex. Hardy Scarlet Rhododendrons, and other LONDON, JANUARY, 1862. PRICE 3D. Ranunculus-Cheap Prize Flowers. GREAT The planting season will soon be here, BRITAIN. Illustrated by JOHN E. SOWERBY, Proprietor of "Sowerby's English Botany," and Illustrator of the "Ferns of Great Britain," &c. Described, with Observations on their Natural History and Uses, by CHARLES JOHNSON, Esq., Botanical Lecturer at Guy's Hospital. JOHN WATERER has the pleasure US to announce that his ANNUAL CATALOGUE of the above popular plants, as exhibited in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, London, is now publehed, and will be forwarded on application. Intending planters and amateurs desirous of blending eclours, are invited to possess a copy, as faithful descriptions of all the Rhododendrons are given. The Catalogue contains a selection of the best and really Hardy CONIFERS, with heights and prices; the whole of which having been removed the past spring, are in a capital state for transplanting. Also EVERGREENS and ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS and TREES of the leading kinds. The American Nursery, Bagshot, Surrey, near the Sunningdale Station, South Western Railway; also to be had of Mr. JOHN KERNAN, Seedsman, 4, Great Russell Street, Covent Garden. Fruit Trees. W. KENT & Co., 23, Paternoster Row. Now ready, Part VI. of the Crown 8vo, 1s. HOULSTON & WRIGHT, Paternoster Row. BARR AND SUGDEN, SEED MERCHANTS AND FLORISTS, fine Roots of the above are therefore offered at 10s. and 20s. per hundred, which will be sent to any address, PER RAIL, on receipt of a prepaid Postoffice Order on Newcastle-upon-Tyne, by Crawcrook, Dec. 12, 1861. J. A. CRAIGGY. F Garden Border Edging Tiles. AND G. ROSHER, CEMENT, BRICK, and TILE MERCHANTS, beg to invite attention to their varied Stock of Ornamental GARDEN BORDER-EDGING TILES in Terra Cotta, Terro-Metallic ware and Red ware. They present advantages over Box or Grass-edging in that they afford no harbour for slugs, &c., take up less room, and once laid require no further attention. They may be had of varions patterns at F. and G. R.'s Premises, Ward's Wharf, Upper Ground Street, Blackfriars, S.; and Kingsland Road Wharf, near the Canal Bridge, London, N.E. N.B. Sketches of Patterns sent by post on application. Garden Vases and Ornamental Flower Boxes for Windows and Balconies in stock. Standard and Dwarf Roses. WITHAM begs to call atten- Spring Seed Catalogue, or Guide to JOHN CRANSTON has no hesita tion to his Superior Stock of APPLE TREES, ncluding about 2,000 of Lord Suffield, Ringer, Grenadier, Post Seedling, Lord Derby, and Golden Spire, which are allowed to be the very best out. No grower ought to be without the above sorts. Also many other good varieties, all at 9s. per doz. LANCASHIRE SHOW GOOSEBERRIES from 160 of the best sorts, strong fruiting plants at 4s. per dozen. Common sorts at 2s. doz. BEST WHITE, RED, or BLACK NAPLES CURRANTS at 28. per doz., or 14s. per 100. CATALOGUES of the above may be had on application to B. WITHAM, Clough Nurseries, Mottram, near Manchester. the Kitchen and Flower Garden, arranged and classified on an entirely new principle, may be had free and post paid on application. Collections of Vegetable Seeds, for large, medium, and small Gardens-63s., 50s., 42s., 30., 21s., 15s. 6d., and 10s. 6d. Collections of Flower Seeds-2s. 6d., 3s. 6d., 5s.6d., BARR AND SUGDEN, 12, KING STREET, COVENT GARDEN. New Cultural & Descriptive Seed Catalogue. STEPHEN BROWN, tion in stating that he holds the largest stock of STANDARD ROSES in the kingdom, and plants of the finest growth possible. These he is now offering at the following prices : STANDARDS, finest Hybrid Perpetual and Bourbon, 30s. per dozen. HALF-STANDARDS, do. 24s. to 30s. do. STANDARD TEA SCENTED, the best and most hardy sorts, 36s. to 42s. do. DWARF HYBRID PERPETUAL, strong on Manetti Stock, 15s. to 24s, do. DWARF HYBRID PERPETUAL, own roots, 12s. to 18s. do. DWARF TEA SCENTED, 18s. to 24s, do. NEW ROSES of 1860 and 1861, 3s. 6d. to 5s. each. SEED GROWER AND NURSERYMAN, application. Till forward copies of the above Will free on application. It contains, as usual, a considerable number of choice new articles both of Gladioli and other choice Bulbs for Spring Nurseries, King's Acre, near Hereford. Roses in Pots on their own Roots. B. WITHAM has a large well-rooted Stock of the above from 9s to 13s. per dozen. Holloway's Pills. SUMPTION ARE EFFECTUALLY CURED BY Despondency and Low Spirits. This Beg to intimate that their New List of COUGH LOZENGES, which possess the virtue of Florists' Flowers is now ready, and may be had free on application. STANSTEAD PARK, FOREST HILL, LONDON; Prepared and Sold in Boxes, 1s. 1d., and Tins, by disordered Digestion unfortunately felt by many known to every one. Holloway's Pills should be taken to reset all in order. They dispel headache, biliousness, nausea, lowness of spirits, and similar symptoms which indicate the presence of poisonous matter or perverted action. A course of these invaluable Purifying Pills never fails in removing the causes and consequences of these marked signs without subjecting the sufferer to any disagreeable restrictions of diet or ordinary pursuits. They strengthen the stomach, and brace the nerves. Holloway's Pills are peculiarly adapted for renovating systems enfeebled by late hours, hard living, over anxiety, or any other excess which is known to debilitate and exhaust the human constitution. JOHN WARNER & SONS, IMPROVED LIQUID MANURE OR GENERAL PORTABLE PUMP. No. 42 Patent Bucket and Valve, and cannot clog in action. The Barrel is made of Galvanized Iron, not likely to corrode, and can be raised or lowered at pleasure on the stand, the legs of which fold together, and may be carried with ease by one man to tank or pond. Stand and Pump, with screwed Tail Pipe, fitted with strong Brass Union for Suction Pipe, £2 15s. If fitted with Barrel of Planished Copper, £3 17s. Stand and Pump, with plain Tail Pipe, for tying on Suction Pipe, £2 9s. Two-inch Patent Rubber and Canvas Flexible Suction Pipe, on Wires, either 10, 12, or 15 feet; per foot, 2s. 5d. WARNERS' PATENT VIBRATING STANDARD PUMPS. PATENT CAST-IRON PUMPS, for Farms, Cottages, Stable Yards, &c., where the Well does not exceed twenty-five feet in depth; fitted with Warners' Patent Metal Bucket and Valve, which cannot clog in action. These Pumps can be made right-handed, left-handed, or with handle opposite the nose by removing four screws only. Diameter. Height. 24 in. short 1 ft. 7 in. Fitted for lead, 21 long 3 3 £ s. d. 1 1 0 gutta percha, 1 10 0 or cast-iron flanged pipe, as required 2 4 0 290 2 18 0 21 short, with 15 feet of Lead Pipe attached, ready for fixing 24 in. long ditto ditto ditto 200 2 14 0 The short-barrel Pump is very convenient for fixing in situations of limited height and space for the supply of Coppers and Sinks in Wash-houses, with soft water from underground Tanks, or in Hot, Forcing, and Plant-houses; they may be fixed, when desired, under the stage. No. 35. WARNERS' SWING GARDEN BARROW (holding about 35 gallons) is intended for all large establishments where much watering is done by the Watering Pot. By its use the Gardener will save much time and labour, particularly where the Tank, Pond, or Pump, is at a distance from the Garden. Price £2 10s. BRASS SYRINGES, from 9s. to 21s. May be obtained of any Ironmonger or Plumber in Town or Country, at the above prices, or of the Patentees and Manufacturers, JOHN WARNER AND SONS, 8, Crescent, Cripplegate, London, E.C. ENGRAVINGS SENT ON APPLICATION. THE ONLY STOVE WITHOUT A FLUE. JOYCE'S Patent for Warming Chapels, Hall Shops, Conservatories, and all other places. Price from 12s. 6d. each The above Stoves are Portable and Economical, and burn withou attention or replenishing from 12 to 24 hours. The Stoves for Greenhouses are made with an Ash-receiver, an burn all the Winter with one lighting, filled up once in 12 hour Temperature always the same. Patent prepared Fuel, 2s. 3d. per bushel. CHEAP FIRES! THE PATENT RADIATING FIREBALLS Effect a saving of one-third in the consumption of Fuel, em immense heat, and make no dust. One supply of four, replaced i the fire every morning, last all the winter. Price 3d. each. Illu trated Prospectus post free. The Midland Florist. VOL. XVI.-NEW SERIES. No. 1.—JAN. 1862. DAHLIAS, AND THE HORTICULTURAL We take a few passages from a temperate and, though tainted with sophistry, by no means a bad apology for the shortcomings of the Floral Committee of the Horticultural Society; and we take up the cap that fits us rather awkwardly, but was undoubtedly made for us; for instance: "It has been said by a writer who claims to be an authority on this subject, that the Floral Committee of the Horticultural Society gave awards for Dahlias indiscriminately during 1861, and that in consequence a number of inferior varieties have been palmed off upon the public under the sanction of an authority, which, as thus judged, is evidently not to be trusted." Well, if this be intended for us, it certainly states the case favourably. We do not remember to have been half so gentle; we fear that, knowing the men and their failings, we were more likely to have said, that they awarded certificates to each other for flowers, which they knew to be inferior to many we already possessed; therefore we cannot complain of our contemporary so far. We were the only authority that dared tell the truth to the gentlemen of the Horticultural Society. But it is said, in 1861, only three first-class certificates were awarded; Pope's Lord Derby (which had been awarded by us a first-class certificate the year before, when they only commended it, for Pope was not a committee-man), Perry's Model, and Turner's Mrs. Bush. This may be true, and if it be, we congratulate ourselves, that in denouncing their conduct the year before, we "did the state some service." It has clearly shown the public that we counteracted the mischief that arose from the waste or prostitution of the Society's certificates, which distinguished their earlier dicisions, and checked the evils they were spreading through the floral world. We now come to a paragraph which we cannot rightly interpret; therefore we give it in the writer's own words : folly of trying it? who made any distinction last year between first-class certificates and certificates of commendation? If the members of the Committee to whom these were awarded were honest, the first-class flowers only should have been half-a-guinea; yet Juno, Joy, and Master-piece, and we know not how many others, came out at half-a-guinea though only commended. How many others of the commended ones came out at that price? and how many that were not even commended at all were added to these half-guinea "take ins"? We hardly know; but it is clear that the members of the Committee value a certificate of commendation the same as those of the first class, if we judge by their charges. If, therefore, they go on at the same rate the next year, there will be no less than fifteen Dahlias sanctioned by the Committee to go out at half-a-guinea each, many of which the members, who, in effect, are their own judges, know to be inferior to those we possess, and the Horticultural Society's certificates of commendation back them. But now comes the sophistry of which we complain, and perhaps the writer may not have considered the total worthlessness of the evidence he brings forward. We pretty well all who show Dahlias know that nothing is more difficult than to please ourselves with a stand of flowers. In making up our number, we get on very well for a time, and the last few puzzle us; we try this, and that, and the other, and there is something the matter with each. The twenty really good have to carry through two or three very inferior. It is not one stand, but all stands, that have some one, two, or more faulty. Those who have seedlings have an interest in raising the character of their novelties; they make every effort to push them forward, and nine times out of ten (and we have judged at many scores of shows, and visited hundreds within the last thirty years), the novelties have been the worst flowers in the stands; so to boast that a flower was in this, that, or the other winning stand, is no criterion that it is better than the commonest flower in the collection. Yet our contemporary builds upon this foundation of sand, to show that the commended flowers must have been good. Dahlia growers know well enough that being in winning stands is no evidence at all. He says:— "There is an evident confusion somewhere of the number of seedling flowers submitted, and the number distinguished with certificates; or perhaps those commended are regarded as unworthy of the hononr. Now the number commended in 1861 amounted to sixteen they were as follows: Keynes's L'Etoile, Dodds's Minnie Dodds, Turner's Cygnet, Turner's Una, Turner's Bob Ridley, Keynes's Imperial, Keynes's Maria Carter, Keynes's Fair Maid of Bath, Tur-Fellowes had in his twenty-four Andrew Dodds, Beauty of ner's Charlotte Dorling, Perry's Delicata, Keynes's Gold Finder, Keynes's Black Prince, Turner's Mrs. Bush, Rawlings's Reliance, Rawlings's Countess of Portsmouth, Henshaw's Miss Henshaw. Among these will be found Mrs. Bush, which, at a subsequent meeting, was awarded a First Class Certificate, so the number commended is reduced to fifteen, which does not appear to us a too profuse distribution of the favours of the Committee." Premising that we totally deny the writer's conclusion, and that we denounce the awards as greatly too profuse, we simply ask, how many of these will be sent out at first-class prices, unless this, our early protest, warns the public to resist it, and the growers see the "If we refer to the records of past shows we shall see that in 1860 Princess of Prussia, a commended flower, was one of Mr. Turner's first prize twenty-four, at the Crystal Palace. In Mr. Keynes's twenty-four at Crystal Palace, 1860, Andrew Dodds occupied a place. In Mr. Turner's twelve Fancies at Crystal Palace, 1861, Elegans and Nora Creina were included. In Mr. Dodds's twenty-four, at the same show, Marquis of Bowmont occurred. At the Royal Horticultural Society's Exhibition in 1861, the Rev J. Hilperton; Mr. Keynes, who was first in forty-eights, had Joy, Marquis of Bowmont, Gold Finder, Imperial, Andrew Dodds; Mr. Harrison, second in the same class, had Beauty of Hilperton, Princess of Prussia; Mr. Kimberley had Delicata. Among the Fancies, Mr. Kimberley had Elegans; Messrs. Downie and Laird had Nora Creina. At Crystal Palace, 1860, Mr. Keynes had in his forty-eight, William Dodds; Mr. Dodds had Joy; and among the seedlings the following were shown in fine condition:-Lord Derby, Illustrious, Sir J. Outram, Reliance, the last three from Mr. Black Prince, Minnie Dodds, Countess of Portsmouth, Rawlings; Blondin, Alderman, and Lady Elcho, from Mr. Dodds; and Charlotte Dorling and Captain Harvey from Mr. Turner.” |