Plate 440. 



HYBRID PELARGONIUMS— WILLSII AND 

 WILLSII ROSEA. 



The two most popular flowers of the present year are the 

 Rose and the Geranium ; popular, too, in the best sense of the 

 word, for they can be grown by neai'ly everybody, and in nearly 

 every place. The Rose, it is true, refuses to display its beauties 

 amidst the smoke and dust of our large towns, yet even it may 

 be caused to grow in places apparently most unsuited for it, and 

 where a little shelter can be aflbi'ded to it it does not fail to 

 repay its owner. The Geranium can be grown anywhere, and 

 even some of the choicest varieties do not disdain to show them- 

 selves in full vigour in the cottager's window or in the crowded 

 court. This popularity we bear witness to in having two Plates 

 of Pelargoniums, most distinct, in our present number. 



For many years, we believe upwards of fifteen, Mr. "Wills, 

 well known in the horticultural world for his skill and ability 

 both as a grower and hybridizer, has been impressed with the 

 idea that it would be a mo.st desirable thing to obtain the 

 growth and thick fine leaves of the Ivy-leaved section combined 

 with the flowers of the Zonal, and he has not only thought 

 about it, but acted on it. Many were the failures, but at last 

 his perseverance has been crowned with success, and a portion 

 of the result we now chronicle in the two varieties figured in 

 our Plate. It will be at once seen that they are distinctly 

 hybrids, the foliage, while chiefly maintaining the appearance 

 of the ivy-leaved section, has yet a mixture of the zonal in it, 



