140 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



It is similar in habit and in the shape of the flowers, but the colour 

 is much higher, which alone constitutes the difference between the 

 two. Whether a true species, or a variety of G. lovrjifblnnn, it is 

 sufficiently distinct to admit of both being grown side by side. 

 During the past winter we have had both in splendid condition in 

 the collection here, and ample facilities have therefore been afforded 

 for observation. 



With regard to the cultural details, it vt'ill suffice to say that 

 both kinds succeed admirably in the warmest end of the interme- 

 diate house, or in the house in which the species requiring the 

 greatest heat may be grown. Consequently they may be grown 

 successfully in the ordinary stove. A mixture of sphagnum moss, 

 peat, and small crocks is the most suitable for these, as well as for 

 other Lady's Slippers. The pots must be well drained, and the 

 supplies of water liberal, especially when growing freely during the 

 summer season. 



THE BEST BEDDING PLANTS FOE SMALL GAEDENS. 



Br WILLIAM COLE, 

 Head Gardener, Ealing Park, Middlesex. 



[HOSE who cultivate bedding plants largely, and also 

 enjoy facilities for seeing what is grown in the gardens 

 around them, will not stand in am^ need of information 

 respecting the most suitable bedders for planting. But 

 those who have to buy their plants at this season of the 

 year will, no doubt, be glad of such information, and, as a matter of 

 duty, it is our business to supply them with it. At the onset, it may 

 be said that too much should not be attempted in gardens of limited 

 dimensions, for elaborate schemes require space to show them off to 

 advantage, and unless finished in the most perfect manner, the effect 

 will be far from satisfactory. Carpet bedding is more especially 

 unsuitable for small gardens, because of the immense number of 

 plants required to fill even a few beds and the vast amount of 

 labour required to regulate the summer's growth ; for if one line is 

 allowed to become too high, or to intrude upon the space set apart 

 for its neighbour, the effect will be spoiled. With beds filled with 

 tlie flowering plants, there will be, practically, no risk ; the labour of 

 keeping them in order will be very small, and the effect, generally, 

 much better. Carpet bedding is very well in large places to supple- 

 ment the flowering plants, but it should not, on any consideration, 

 be allowed to push the latter out of the gardens. As the most richly 

 coloured and distinctive bedders are the best for small gardens, I 

 will now proceed to give the names of a few that are likely to prove 

 of the greatest service to those who have to purchase now. 



The Zonal Geiuwiums deserve the first place, for they produce 

 a grand efi'ect, and can always be relied upon. One of the very best 

 of the cheap kinds, with scarlet flowers, is Vesuvhcs, which is remark- 



