166 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



colour, although it is hy no means dull, it will be much appreciated. 

 It is worthy of mention, as an evidence that their merits have not 

 been over-estimated, that all the above have received first-class 

 certificates from the Royal Horticultural Society. 



The new additions to the list of Silver Zonals are not by any 

 means so satisfactory as those in the class just dealt with. The only 

 varieties I have seen which can be recommended as superior to 

 those which can be obtained at a much cheaper rate are Mrs. Hornby 

 and Princess Beatrice-, belonging to Mr. Turner and Mr. Plant 

 respectively ; and Clorinda and Mysterious JS 7 igJit, the property of 

 Messrs. E. Gr. Henderson and Son. Lass o' Gowrie is perhaps the 

 most valuable of all the silver zonals, and is expensive as yet ; but 

 it is hardly entitled to a place here, because it has been in commerce 

 one or two seasons. 



In the Bronze Zonal section, first and foremost stand the mag- 

 nificent varieties in the hands of Messrs. Downie, Laird, and Laing, 

 of Forest Hill, who have done so much in the improvement of this 

 useful class. All the varieties they are now offering are good, but if 

 only two can be afforded, preference should be given to' Black 

 Douglas and Beine Victoria, because of their extreme effectiveness 

 and distinctness of character. 



The Silver and Golden Variegated varieties cannot boast of any 

 improvement. There are no new kinds on offer this season. Pos- 

 tan's Snow-wreath, and Virgin Queen, and Cannell's Mrs. J. G. 

 Mappin, three white-edged varieties, with white flowers, which are 

 all most valuable for edging purposes. Ample amends are, however, 

 made in the zonal sections with green leaves, for the new varieties 

 now being sent out for the first time may be numbered by the 

 dozen. The best for bedding are undoubtedly Cannell's Master 

 Christine, a dwarf-growing and free-flowering variety, with flowers 

 of the Christine hue of pink ; but it is much dwarfer in growth, and 

 the flowers are stouter and of better form than that variety. Hib- 

 berd's Feast of Boses, a dwarf nosegay, producing medium-sized 

 trusses of rich rosy-pink flowers in the greatest profusion. Bell and 

 Thorpe's Charles Dickens, a neat grower, and a most profuse flower- 

 ing variety, with flowers of a rich rosy puce colour. Denny's 

 lanthe, bluish crimson, of a similar shade to Madame Mezard. Downie, 

 Laird, and Laing's Star of Fire, a neat dwarf-growing and free- 

 flowering nosegay, with flowers of the most brilliant scarlet ; and 

 Hibberd's Lilac Banner, also neat in growth and free-flowering, 

 and very valuable in the flower-garden, because of its distinct 

 colour. 



The best twelve new varieties for pot-culture are Denny's 

 Haidee, magenta, with bluish shade ; Sir C. Napier, dark scarlet ; 

 Denny's Wellington, maroon scarlet ; Hibberd's Alice Spencer, pure 

 white, tinted with carmine at the base ; Cannell's Pride of LCent, 

 orange scarlet, with extra fine foliage ; "Windsor's Conflagration, 

 scarlet; Downie, Laird, and Laing's George Peabodi/, deep rich 

 scarlet, very rich and effective ; Downie, Laird, and Laing's Pink 

 May Queen, deep rosy pink, a grand nosegay for pot-culture ; and 

 Smith's Mr. Gladstone, deep crimson scarlet, of the single-flowering 



