Plate 332. 

 ZONALE GERANIUM, MISS MAETIN. 



Wo arc "convinced, tliat althougli we liave recently figured one 

 or two Geraniums in the Zonalc or bedding class, no apology will 

 be needed by our subscribers for bringing before them the very 

 beautiful variety we now figure, for there is no class of flowers 

 more popular at the present day than they are. As Miss Mnrtin 

 has been raised by a cultivator comparatively unknown, we think 

 it best to let him give the particulars of his success himself, as 

 related in a note by whicli we have been kindly fixvf)ured. 



" I commenced," says Mr. Groom, of Ipswich, " hybridizing 

 Geraniums about twelve years ago, working with the choicest 

 varieties then out. The quantity raised by me every year is 

 between 2000 and 3000 ; from these I select not more than six 

 plants, which I consider the best, combining good habit of 

 growth and quality of flower ; the next season I endeavour to 

 improve on the production of the former one by fertilizing 

 upon my own stock only, so that a pedigree may be said to 

 exist from my own strain. The three varieties to be sent oirt 

 in the spring are dwarf in habit, although very fine growers, 

 foliage thick and very attractive for their dense zones; I have 

 even proved them as beddcrs, and Mr. Grieve and other cele- 

 brated geranium raisers who have seen them at various periods, 

 pronounce them to be superior to any yet known to the public ; 

 this has induced me to offer them with every confidence. For 

 pot-culture they are invaluable, both for summer and winter 

 decoration ; they are immensely fine bloomers, and having 

 large trusses for almost every joint. I may also add, that 

 although the last season was exceedingly unfavourable for 

 bedding plants generally, 1 had a profusion of bloom in my 



