OCTOBER. 211 



required to be reduced from twenty-four to twelve, as the 

 larger number can but compel growers to retain many varie- 

 ties in cultivation, to meet the call for twenty-four, which, 

 with a knowledge of the smaller number only being required, 

 they would discard, and gladly too ; thus giving increased 

 opportunities for the growth of but the very best, and further 

 tending materially to throw out of cultivation many whose 

 room would prove more valuable than their company. We 

 will say more : at an exhibition-time our first impulse is to 

 look for the blooms of the few well-known best sorts ; we cut 

 from these first, and proceed as it were by instinct to certain 

 varieties for our specimens ; our box being full, the second- 

 rate blooms are left to mainly furnish us with the crops of 

 seed from which it is hoped to produce subjects in advance of 

 our best models. Let us ask, Is this a judicious method of 

 procedure ? That it is the prevailing one we will not ven- 

 ture to deny. Criterion and King of Purples having, in the 

 hands of Mr. Norman, proved to be goodly parents, let us 

 urge others to follow the example thus set us by our Norwich 

 friend. Pinks stand in need of a few such champions. 



ALBIRA, ZARIA, KULLAr 



In compliance with your request for a few remarks descriptive of 

 these Pelargoniums, which were figured in your last Number, I have 

 pleasure, in the first place, in bearing my testimony to the general 

 fideHty of the plate. The colours, though not the exact shades, are 

 as near as I believe it is possible to obtain coloured plates. The 

 striking point in these three flowers is their being spotted on the 

 lower petals with a distinct, well-defined, and permanent spot or 

 feather, not liable to fade or be lost as the season advances, but 

 which continues constant and alike, making them highly attractive 

 objects in any collection. 



Albira is a very profuse bloomer, and very constant ; the petals 

 are narrow, and it has no pretensions to a first-rate form, but it will 

 certainly be admired for its striking head of bloom. 



Zaria is much more en regie, being of good form and a pleasing 

 orange-rose ground-colour ; it is a good bloomer, though not so 

 profuse as Albira. I anticipate that Zaria will be a very general 

 favourite. 



Kulla differs more from Zaria on the plant than in the plate ; it 

 has a stronger habit than Zaria, and is an excellent grower. 



G. W. HOYLE. 



