114 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



tenuifolia striata, D. bullata, Gleichenia diclwtoma, Hymenodium crini- 

 tum, Phlebodium inultiseriale, Goniopteris fraxinifolium, are amongst 

 the best of the stove species for show purposes. The gold and silver 

 ferns include several fine exhibition species. Of the former class, 

 G. chrysopliylla is one of the best. G. Martensii and G. Laucheana 

 are also good. G. argyropliylla, and G. Wettenlialliana, are two 

 splendid species of the latter class. 



Ferns frequently present a poor starved appearance through 

 being potted entirely in hungry peat. The Gymnograrnmas require 

 peat, but the others do much better in equal parts of fibrous silky 

 loam and peat. The pots must be well drained, and enough sand 

 added to make the soil feel gritty. It is a difficult matter to say 

 how much sand must be used, as that in a great measure must 

 depend upon the nature of the soil. The plants should have a shift 

 every year at least ; and when they get into the largest-sized pot 

 that can be conveniently used, reduce the ball, and repot into the 

 same size again. These plants require plenty of water when in full 

 growth, and just enough to keep them in health during the winter, 

 for too much at the last-mentioned season will most likely rot the 

 roots. An abundance of atmospheric humidity must be maintained 

 through the summer, but only the free-growing species with stout 

 fronds should be syringed overhead. The plants can be shaded by 

 tacking stout tiffany over the roof, or painting the glass with hot 

 lime outside, or, if labour is no object, movable blinds can be used. 



NEW SHOW AND FANCY PELARGONIUMS. 



BY GEORGE GORDON. 



CTING upon the belief that there are still a few who 

 take an interest in these two sections of the Pelar- 

 gonium family, I have penned a few notes upon the 

 new varieties of last year, with the hope that they 

 may be useful. At all events they can be taken as 

 trustworthy, as the descriptions were made by me from the plants 

 when in flower last summer. 



Mr. Poster and Mr. Beck were, as usual, in the front rank with 

 show varieties ; and Mr. C. Turner, of Slough, still held his own with 

 the Fancies. I will take the large-flowering varieties first ; and for 

 the sake of making a start, we will begin with those raised by Mr. 

 Foster. The first in my book is Cinderella, a charming flower, of 

 fine form, top petals deep maroon, with a bright rosy edge, lower 

 petals lake, overlaid with black veins and pure white throat. 

 Corsair is scarcely so perfect in form as the preceding, but the 

 flowers are large and richly coloured, being bright rosy pink with 

 dark blotch on top petals. Herald is remarkable for its fine habit, 

 flowers large and of good form, top petals deep maroon with rosy 

 pink bottom petals. Lady of the Lake, a fine variety, with large well- 

 made flowers, top petals maroon, lower petals reddish salmon, beau- 



