274 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [December, 



Apricots^ a portion was covered witli glass liglits in tlie autumn, to keep off 

 the heavy rains, and to help to ripen the wood with the little sun we had. The 

 Apricot-trees which were so covered showed far bolder blossoms than the trees 

 not covered, and ripened a moderate crop. The uncovered trees showed plenty 

 of bloom ; but it was weak in its formation, and set badly, and on these there 

 was not above half a crop of fruit ripened. 



Some varieties of Pears on the south walls, such as Ilarie Louise, Louise 

 Bonne, Beurre' Superfin, Doyenne clu Cornice, Beurre' cVAmanlis Panachce, Glou 

 Morceau, and Winter Nelis, bore excellent crops. On other aspects, however, 

 the same varieties failed, as well as on the standards. 



Plums, whether on south-east or west aspects, did not show much bloom, 

 and the crops were a total failure on some varieties. In the orchards, the 

 standard Plums, although in the case of some of the varieties showing plenty of 

 bloom, likewise failed in setting ; even that hardy variety the Damson is so scarce 

 in the markets here, that it is selling at 6d. per lb. All this failure in these 

 crops must be attributed to the badly ripened wood made in 1873, for there 

 were no very severe spring frosts this year to which it could be attributed. 



In a glass-cased wall here, provided with artificial heat, the Peaches, Nectarines, 

 Plums, and Cherries grown, bore very good crops. Thus, it appears, a few degrees 

 of fire-heat in the spring and in the autumn to ripen the wood, are sufficient to 

 secure a full crop in bad seasons. 



The Apple crop in this locality was likewise a failure this year, the trees of 

 some varieties being loaded, and others quite the reverse. Even in the trees 

 which bore good crops, there was in the produce a greater proportion of small 

 fruit than usual, showing the immature state of the wood and blossoms at the 

 setting time. — William Tilleey, Welbecl: 



NEW SHOW PELARGONIUMS. 



)ERHAPS it is well to retain the old designation of " Show Pelargonium," 

 when one comes to speak or write of the large-flowered section, as it is 

 ^wS'' one that is so constantly employed in schedules, that were it changed, 

 ^ it might lead to some confusion. It may seem a little paradoxical to apply 

 the term to one class of Exhibition Pelargoniums only, as all are used for show 

 pui'poses, but in the pages of the Florist and Pomologist it will be readily 

 understood that the " Show Pelargonium " really means the large-flowered type. 

 Though Mr. Hoyle has passed away, the work of improvement he carried on 

 in this favourite flower in so remarkable and successful a manner, is still continued 

 by Mr. Foster, as the few later batches of flowers raised at Clewer not only 

 evidence the old regard for high colour, and its certain attainment in a pro- 

 gressive degree, but also all the characteristics that Mr. Hoyle used to aim at, 

 and so abundantly secured — size, substance, form, and novelty of colour. The 

 " Show Pelargoniums " of 1871-72 were grand in their development ; but thoso 

 of 1873 have surely reached a higher level of perfection. 



