IGl THE FLORAL WORLD A^'D GARDEN GUIDE. 



the mixture a pint of sharp sand. The silver kinds will have suffi- 

 cient vigour in a mixture of three parts loam, and one part each of 

 rotten manure and sharp sand. It is a great help to the formation 

 of new roots to plunge tlie pots in a tan-bed, or nearly-spent hot- 

 bed, in -which there is a very slight warmth. But they will do very 

 well without any such aid if in a sunny house, and taken proper care 

 of on ordinary shelves. An abundance of air must be allowed at all 

 seasons, except of course during strong gales or frosty weather, for 

 the colours are sure to be washy if the plants are kept too close. 

 "Watering should be always done with care. To wet the leaves will 

 not, as a rule, do them any harm, and, indeed, if they become dusty, 

 they may be washed, but, as a rule, wetting the leaves is not 

 desirable"^ and in winter it should be carefully avoided. 



"When looking over the immense and beautiful collection of 

 !Messrs. F. & A. iSmith, of Park Eoad, Dulwich, lately, we selected 

 five varieties as subjects for the plate which accompanies this article. 

 These five we consider amongst the best in the two leading classes 

 of gold and silver zonals. It will be observed that the leaves are 

 well formed, and distinctly and richly coloured. "With a view to 

 assist readers in the formation of collections, we subjoin the names 

 of a few of the most distinct and beautiful varieties in the several 

 classes : and as we possess nearly all the varieties that are in culti- 

 vation, we shall be ready to add to this limited selection for the 

 benefit of any of our readers who require a greater number of varie- 

 ties than we now recommend. 



A SELECTI02^ OF TAEIEGATED-LEAYED PELAEGO>'irMS. 



1. Yaeiegated-leated. — DayhreaJc, one of the neatest for 

 bedding and pot culture : Rosette, most beautiful for pot culture, 

 also fine for bedding : Floirer of Sjjring^ brilliant white-edged 

 bedder, and fine for pot specimens : Oriana, creamy or sulphur 

 coloured, compact habit ; good bedder : Lady JPalmerston, very 

 distinct, and produces abundance of lively rosy flowers: Queen of 

 Queens, fine bold whitish leaf and brilliant scarlet flowers. 



2. Golde>"-leayed. — Aureum, sent out by Messrs. F. & A. 

 Smith, is a splendid golden bedder : Golden Fleece surpasses Cloth 

 of Gold and Gold Leaf : Golden Chain is the grandest of all for 

 those who can manage it ; the plants should be three years old 

 and very dwarf and bushy to make a fi.ne eflect : Crystal Falace 

 Gem, sent out by Messrs. F. & A. Smith, is a brilliant golden bedder : 

 Fet of the Parterre, from the same raisers, is also fine. 



3. Beo>'ze Zoxals. — One of the most beautiful of this class is 

 Artemus Ward, sent out by Messrs. Eollison & Son: the habit is 

 dwarf and bushy, the leaves have a sulphur- coloured ground and a 

 neat orange red and chesnut zoije ; it makes a dazzling bed : Jlrs. 

 CJfCi 'Jri- Farry, one of F. & A. Smith's varieties, is decisive and good : 

 Lima, Goldfinch, and Feauty of Oulton are three of the best in this 

 series. 



4. Gold Zg^'als. — Antagonist is a fine bedding plant, with 

 leaves finely margined with yellow and zones richly coloured orange 

 red and black : Defiance has a flat smooth leaf, with clear light 



