1869.] HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 327 



and Zonal sections, having large broad leaves resembling those of the former, and 

 deep Hose-coloured flowers, with petals of fine outline. Both the above plants 

 received first-class certificates from the Floral Committee. Mr Wimsett also 

 exhibited Willsii with handsome foliage, but the flowers not so large nor of such 

 good form ; and Mr Groom, of Ipswich, had also a hybrid Ivy-leaf, but not equal 

 to either of the preceding. 



Coming now to the portion of the Exhibition devoted to the Pelargoniums, it 

 may be observed that for two years past an annual exhibition of variegated Pelar- 

 goniums has been held at the end of the summer, the prizes being subscribed by 

 raisers and growers of the same. This year the show has been held much earlier 

 than usual, and that for a very intelligible and substantial reason — namely, that 

 some of the variegated Pelargoniums are in much better condition at one season 

 of the year than at another, consequently those which colour well in the early 

 months of the year would be getting out of condition at the end of the summer. 

 There were classes for the best example of each of the many divisions into which 

 Pelargoniums are now arranged — the condition being that three plants of each vai'ie- 

 ty be shown, in order to exclude seedling plants. In the class for the best golden- 

 edged variegated Zonal Pelargoniums, thirty-six varieties were staged ; Messrs E. 

 G. Henderson & Sons alone staging twenty-two vai'ieties. This firm took the 

 first prize with Peter Grieve, a fine habited variety, raised by Mr Peter Grieve, 

 The Gardens, Culford Hall, Bury St Edmunds, who has not only raised some of 

 the best kinds now in cultivation, but has also published an excellent little 

 treatise on the cultivation of the variegated Zonal Pelargonium, which amateur 

 gi'owers especially should consult. Mr C. Turner, Slough, and ^Messrs Carter & Co., 

 London, were placed equal second — the former with Mrs Headley, the latter with 

 Prince of Wales ; between these two varieties as exhibited there was clearly no 

 perceptible difiference. Mr Turner was third with Achievement. One could not 

 help being struck with the sorry appearance presented by some of the finely- 

 marked kinds that had the appearance of being almost perfect when shown as 

 seedlings. Making certain deductions for the deterioration invariably observed 

 in plants when propagated from the seedling, as well as some of them being out 

 of condition at this season of the year, it did yet appear that these newer kinds 

 of variegated Pelargoniums are sadly over-propagated in the great haste to obtain 

 stock, to the manifest detriment of the plants. Assuming what is regarded as an 

 actual fact by botanists, that variegation is a diseased condition, it is easy to per- 

 ceive how excessive propagation would aggravate this inherent weakness, and re- 

 duce the plants to something approaching a pitiable condition. Many of the newer 

 kinds will not be in possession of their true vigour and robustness of character for 

 a few years to come ; and till that condition is reached, if they should not be 

 blotted out of commerce, will bear the character of being unworthy of cultivation. 



Briefly, it may be stated, that the best Variegated Zonals with silver edges were 

 Excellent and Lady B. Bridges, both shown by Mr C. Turner ; and Mrs Colonel 

 "Wilkinson, by Mr Coomber, Highgate — the awards being given in the order of the 

 names. These promise to be fine additions to this class, having excellent habits, 

 and being finely coloured. The last named has the fault of the leaves being too 

 concave, and thus presenting a cupped appearance and a rough exterior, with the 

 additional fault of holding water. The foregoing classes represent what are popu- 

 larly, but erroneously, termed "Tricolor Geraniums." 



The Gold and Bronze Zonals — or what are generally termed " Bicolors " — were 

 grand; and Messrs Downie, Laird, & Laing, of London and Edinburgh, who are 

 clean ahead of any other raiser with these fine varieties, were first, second, and 

 third, with J. W. Morris, Red Ring, and Imperatrice Eugenie. The leaves of the 



