216 THE FLORIST. 



CAPE PELARGONIUMS. 



Now that this class of Pelargoniums has become more universally 

 grown, I beg to offer a few remarks on their cultivation. It is but a 

 few years since they were all but lost sight of ; but the Horticultural 

 and Royal Botanic Societies having offered prizes for them, they 

 have become greater favourites. It is now twenty-five years since I 

 worked at the late Mr. Colville's Nursery in the King's Road, at which 

 time there was a large collection grown there, in the shape of poor 

 small plants, in 5 -inch pots, with naked stems; and it was said at 

 that time that it was impossible to grow them so as to make fine 

 plants, on account of their weak, slender habits. Time and better skill 

 have, however, told a different tale, as is proved by the fine specimens 

 shewn at our Metropolitan Exhibitions. What would old-fashioned 

 cultivators say to the fine examples which are annually pro- 

 duced at these grand displays } In those days it was considered a fair 

 specimen of Pelargonium-growing to see a plant in a 6-inch pot, 

 supported with three or four sticks, and bare of foliage half-way up. 

 I have taken great pains to gather together as many of the Cape 

 varieties as I could find ; but I fear some of the beautiful varieties 

 long since cultivated, and which may be seen figured in Sweet's 

 Geranacese, are lost. In my opinion, this class of Pelargoniums ought 

 to be more extensively grown ; for, under good management, many 

 of them will flower in succession nearly the whole season round. 

 Much may be effected in the way of hybridising them with some of 

 our fine fancy kinds, as the Cape species are generally distinct in 

 their colours, and varied in their foliage. I am the more convinced 

 of this since I have seen that beautiful hybrid Cape variety which 

 was exhibited at the Horticultural Society's Gardens at Chiswick in 

 June last, by Mr. E. G. Henderson of the Wellington Nursery, St 

 John's Wood, and which obtained a prize. The foliage is similar to 

 that of Glaucum, with a fine-shaped flower of good substance. It is 

 a good grower, and will make a fine plant either for exhibition or for 

 the home stage. 



I would now offer a few remarks on their management. When 

 the plants have done flowering, water should be very sparingly given 

 them, as they require a certain amount of rest before they commence 

 flowering again. Great attention must be paid in watering this class 

 of plants at all times ; for if once they get too wet, the plant soon 

 becomes sickly, and premature death ensues : the roots being of a 

 fine description, cannot endure too much wet. The plants should be 

 regularly tied out, not using more sticks than is necessary ; for too 

 many supports pushed into the pots injure the roots. Should the 

 plants become bare of foHage, which is frequently the case with some 

 kinds if allowed to get dry, they may be headed down with as much 

 safety as ordinary Pelargoniums. If a little heat is at command 

 after heading down, to place the plants in, so much the better ; draw 

 the syringe over them in the evening after hot sunny days, when 

 they are suflaciently broken. The soil about the root may be re- 



