THE 



AKD 



E 



Makoh, 18G5. 

 THE NEXT EASHION IN ELOEICTJLTURE. 



S 



T is impossible to define on what principle 

 fashions change in Eloriculture. Seasons 

 may have some influence ; as, for instance, 

 the wet season of I860 made the calceolaria 

 unusually popular, through the luxuriance 

 of its growth, and the profusion and rich- 

 ness of its blossoms. During the past three 

 or four years, zonale geraniums have been 

 rising rapidly in popularity, and many 

 private cultivators devote their attention to 

 them almost exclusively, and have extensive and beau- 

 j tiful collections. The very dry season of 1864 gave 

 ■/>} J an additional impetus to the fashion of collecting 

 ' y < and cultivating these beautiful plants ; and it is very 



certain that they take the lead in bedding plants, and 

 are likely to usurp the places occupied by many other classes which 

 have hitherto shared in the applauses bestowed upon the colouring of 

 the parterre. The cultivation of the zonale geranium is unquestionably 

 one of the prevailing fashions, and it is not likely to suffer any check, 

 but rather encouragement ; for there are now three double-flowering 

 varieties, and among the kinds thoroughly established in public favour 

 we have nearly every colour in the rainbow, except pure yellow and 

 pure blue. Thus, besides the charming effect of a good collection when 

 stored in a conservatory or greenhouse, nearly all the colours required 

 in the geometric garden may be insured by a suitable selection of 

 zonale geraniums ; and we may therefore safely say, that the favour 

 with which they are everywhere regarded is founded on a reasonable 

 basis. 



But it was with another thought we commenced these remarks. 

 "We foresee the growth of another fashion, or, rather, the revival of a 

 fashion of past times — viz., the cultivation of hardy herbaceous plants 

 vol. viii. — yo. nr. d 



