RE-NAMING OLD PLANTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 6, 10 February 1909, Page 41

RE-NAMING OLD PLANTS.

Like the changes in the pronunciation of English words, this giving plants new names is continually going on. Sometimes the changes have proper reasons for the alteration, sometimes no reasons are given; but we find the Salisbnria adiantifolia made into Ginkgo by an up-to-date write!, to the bewilderment of the man in the shrubbery. The humorist Josh Billings said that, on being asked how the milk got into the Cocoanut. he averred it was put in during the night, but who the fellow was that did it, even philosophers were, not agreed, and he could not tell himself. This changing of nomenclature of plants is somewhat similar. We find the Tritomas called Kniphofias, by no means an improvement in ease or elegance to speak, certainly; but where the conference was -held, and the authorities who agreed to change the name, we are kept in the dark. Many years ago the 'Michaelmas Daisies (asters) were a vexed class for confusion of names, also the Melianthus. Asa Gray tried to bring order into these unruly families, and the •Rev. <?. Wolley-Dod agreed with the new order. However, it was not long until this settlement was called in question by Mr. Sam. Appleton, then herbaceous foreman to R. Smith and Co., of Worcester, who proved to our satisfaction that several names were evidently wrong. Mr. Wolley-Dod admitted in conversation that Appleton was right, but added the class was so difficult, and Asa Gray had been so worried over the names that now we had better adhere to the new nomenclature. The very same thing has happened to narcissus, but in this case the authorities sat in judicial state, and their classification was acquiesced in generally, until now we read of dissent, which will spread, and by and by necessitate a new arrangement. Liliums suiter from the same confusion, as L. testeeum is frequently printed Isabellinum. So it is with hyacinthus candicans, a most fitting name, but which we must now vary to Galtonia candicans. What florists, professional and amateur, want to know is, by whose authority are these, changes made, and where are the printed reports to be had? Leading men may meet and change whatever they please, but such arbitrary variations do not seem improvements to the ordinary lovers of flowers; therefore, they are generally adopted, and the confusion grows from year to year. If there? is a printed record of these changes extant, it is a pity it should be buried in the obscure reports of a few London societies, whioh are never reprinted by any ordained general authority, and, consequently, never receive acceptance by the mass of plant growers. All this leads to the need for a floral House of Lords, whose judgments would become Jaw to nurserymen who print catalogues find all who buy and grow plants. Cannot a federation of all horticultural societies in the British Isles be organised with America, and the Colonies also, if possible, which being representative.

every point of interest could be taken up, thus making for uniformity throughout the English-speaking world? We have the Sweet Pea Society adjusting the varieties of this annual, and weeding out inferior sorts and duplicates. Other societies affiliated to the central one could elect committees, taking up shrubs, trees, bulbs, orchids, ferns, roses, etc., etc. Even in roses, what a duplication of sorts is to be found under differing names, each having certificates (often too easily granted), but all such anomalies would be forbidden were a Court of appeal in being.—“ Scottish Garden?’