F73 MAIN LIBRARY AGRIC. DEPT. LONDON : Stamford Street. PREFACE. We have again arrived at the close of another year's volume of the FLORICULTURAL CABINET, and the agreeable duty now devolves upon us of recording the usual annual address to our correspondents and readers. It has been with feelings of the most flattering description that we have presented the previous eighteen volumes. The continually increasing support we have received during the present year, and by which we have been enabled to complete the nineteenth volume, we are free to acknowledge a proportionate increase in the debt of gratitude is due from us to our contributors and readers. To them we most respectfully tender our thanks for the encouragement which has so liberally been afforded us, and in the succeeding volume our utmost exertions shall be directed to render it increasingly interesting and useful, so that it may be worthy of their continued confidence and support. Aware that many of our readers have not the opportunity of frequently visiting large collections of plants, nor have the means of ascertaining the continued introduction of new plants, we have therefore paid considerable attention to obtain particulars of all such as are received from time to time in the large establishments of our own country, as well as those on the Continent, from whence such new plants can now be so easily procured. We also feel assured that many of the most showy-flowering plants of prior introduction are unknown to numbers of our readers, and we have, in consequence, given particular descriptions each month of such plants as we consider merit a place in even any select collection. No other periodical contains anything near such a number of described new or valuable plants. Conscious of its usefulness, we shall pursue the same course successively. We shall be glad at all times to receive suggestions on any subjects calculated to improve our future volumes; and the repeated kindness of our contributors and readers, we think, justifies our expectations as to their future assistance. By the aid of a generous FLORAL PUBLIC we have been enabled to attain the elevated position we occupy, and our utmost energies shall on all occasions be employed to retain it. The recommendation by our friends of the FLORICULTURAL CABINET to others will prove an increasing stimulus to our exertions. Richmond, 26th November 1851. NEW VARIETIES OF DAISIES (BELLIS PERENNIS). is in from the circumstance of Belides, a grand-daughter to Danaus, and one of the nymphs called Dryads, that presided over the meadows and pastures in ancient times. Belides is said to have encouraged the suit of Ephigeus; but, whilst dancing on the grass with this rural deity, she attracted the admiration of Vertumnus, who, just as he was about to seize her in his embrace, saw her transformed into the humble plant that now bears her name. An old astrological writer informs us that this plant is under the sign Cancer, and under the dominion of Venus, and therefore good to cure all the pains caused by the fair goddess, particularly those of the breast: hence it becomes all the lack-a-daisy swains to give thanks that this plant is so bountifully provided as a remedy. The name Bellis is now deduced from the Latin bellus, handsome, or pretty. Others are of opinion that it was called Bellis a bello, from its being found useful in the field of battle to heal the wounds of soldiers, and on which account it has also been called Consolida. The name Daisy is derived from a Saxon word : it means Day's-eye, in allusion to the flower expanding when the sun rises upon it and closes at sunset. . In France the flowers are called Paquerettes, because the blossoms appear most abundant at the approach of Paques (Easter). The plant, too, is named Marguerite (Pearl), and by some Pearl of the Day. It is stated, St. Louis took for a device on his ring a Daisy and a Lily, in allusion to the name of the queen his wife, and to the arms of France, to which he added a sapphire, on which a crucifix was engraved ; the motto, “ That it held all he counted most dear,” viz., “ Religion, France, and his spouse." We do not recollect any flower that we could introduce as our first VOL. XIX. No. 49.-N.S. a B ornament for the New Year that would be so universally admired as the one we have selected. For who can see the flower, or a coloured figure of the Daisy; without a thousand delightful associations of infancy. To those who have passed their early days amongst Daisy. spangled meadows, the very name will seem to renovate the imagination and carry them back to their earliest pleasures. This pretty flower is the favourite of all: it may be styled, “ The Robin of Flowers." Turn the blossom all ways, and on every fresh view new beauty appears. No other flower has been so frequently celebrated by our best poets: Milton says “ By dimpled brook and fountain brim, Their merry wakes and pastimes keep.” The Daisy has been made the emblem of innocence, because it contributes more than any other flower to infantile amusement and the joys of childhood. Cowper says in the spring and playtime of the year, And prink their hair with Daisies.” 66 When Daisies pied, and violets blue, And lady flowers all silver-white, Do paint the meadows with delight." 6 There is a flower, a little flower, With silver crest and golden eye, And weathers every sky. While moon and stars their courses run, Companion of the sun. 'Tis Flora's page, in every place, In every season, fresh and fair, And blossoms everywhere. Its mble buds unheeded rise. The Daisy never dies.” |
