Florists' Flowers
This term is applied to a very large section of mostly greenhouse and hardy plants, abounding in varieties and garden forms that have originally descended from a limited number of species of each of the numerous genera included. The Florist is one who specially devotes his attention to the improvement of such plants as admit of it, either by cultivation, careful selection, or systematic hybridization. The superiority, both in habit of plant, and form and variety in colour of flowers, is apparent in almost every subject that has been taken in hand. In many cases, where it is thought perfection has been well-nigh reached, a new break appears in some way, and thus fresh material is given the Florist on which to effect an improvement. The number of plants included amongst Florists' Flowers is continually extending, as, apart from increasing and perpetuating new varieties of a superior type, other genera, that have hitherto been neglected, are brought under the same influence, with a view of eventually obtaining a similar result. Perfection in habit and in form of flower, with distinct colouring, are points always to be aimed at, and only those flowers which are best in these respects should be used for seeding purposes. It is invariably necessary to perpetuate varieties of Florists' Flowers by cuttings or offsets, as the case may be, seeds having a tendency to produce plants of a mixed and inferior quality to those from which they were collected. The Florist's standard for quality and good culture is now of a high character with many plants, and is beyond the reach of the majority of cultivators. The advantages of the improvements effected are, however, available for all in the select varieties annually distributed, or those in general cultivation. The Auricula, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Fuchsia, Gladiolus, Hyacinth, Pelargonium, Tulip, &c., may be cited as some of the most popular and best-known examples, each and all exhibiting evidence of the success attending the Florist's work.