THE FLORAL WORLD AND GAIIDEN GUIDE. 26? 



berd's Feast of Hoses, which, without question, is the best of the 

 class for large beds ; the flowers are of a fine deep pink, and borne 

 most profusely throughout the season. 



The geraniums grown for their foliage require a passing notice, 

 although it is not needful to criticise the nevv iatroducliona to the 

 several sections into which they are divided, because they do not 

 appear to be sufficiently distinct from those already in commerce. 

 For the information of those readers who may be in doubt as to the 

 best sorts to grow, it will be useful to make a few comments on the 

 best of the established varieties. In my collection the best of the 

 golden zonals are — Edward Bichard Benijon, a vigorous grower, 

 with highly-coloured leaves ; Peter Grieve, a grand variety, with 

 large leaves, overlaid with fine zone; Louisa Smith, well coloured, 

 with fine bushy habit ; Sophia Casach, like the preceding, remark- 

 able for its compact, freely-brauched growth ; Victoria Regina, has 

 large, well coloured leaves, and a good habit. 



Amongst the silver zonals there are not many to surpass Italia 

 Unita, which was one of the very first sent out ; but the best for 

 bedding are — Caroline Longjidd and Lass o' Gowrie, both of which 

 are well coloured, and have a good habit. More than these are not 

 required, because of the close resemblance the several varieties bear 

 to each other. The most desirable of the silver-edged varieties 

 are — Miss Kingshury, Princess Alexandra, and Queen of Queens. 



AVe have several showy bedders amongst the bronze zonals ; and 

 in my collection, which is now very large, the undermentioned have 

 afforded unmistakable proofs of their superiority over others, 

 namely : — Black Douglas and Bronze Queen, two dark-leaved 

 varieties ; Crown Prince, Lnperatrice Eugenie, and Waltham Bronze, 

 three strong growers, with bright and most efi'eetive foliage ; and 

 Sybil and the Moor, two rather dwarf growers, suitable for front lines. 

 The most effective of the golden-edged varieties are — Crystal Palace 

 Gem, Gclde'/i Banner, and Yellow Gem, for ordinary bedding ; and 

 Greed's Seedling and Robert Eish, for divisional lines and edging 

 purposes. 



Turning from the geraniums to the dwarf Lobelias, we find 

 several first-class novelties. Of the speciosa type, I can strongly 

 recommend Brilliant, which is neat, and produces a profusion of 

 deep blue flowers. As a companion to this, Ma-arine Gem deserves 

 attention. They are similar in habit, and the flowers are rich 

 marine blue, with white eye. Porcelain Brilliant is similar to the 

 preceding, but has flowers of a porcelain blue, and in the flower 

 garden is very effective. Amongst the varieties of the Pamila 

 type, with a dwarf cushion-like growth, Lustrous holds a foremost 

 position. It is a little taller than t!-.e well-known Pumila grandi- 

 flora, more wiry in growth, and blooms continuously throughout the 

 season. It also stands rough weather better than the variety here 

 alluded to, and will, eventually, quite supersede it. Another good 

 variety of the same type is Omega, which has deep purplish lilac 

 flowers, quite as large as those of speciosa. It is unquestionably 

 the best of all with purplish and lilac flowers. We have also had 

 presented to our notice, during the summer, two lobelias, which 



September, 



