300 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



possession, amongst newer roses, of that important property, con- 

 tinuity of bloom. There are certain that we have remarked by no 

 means to be relied on in this respect, particularly when seasons are 

 unfavourable. Others, again, are apt to deteriorate in the quality 

 of their autumn bloom. Many complaints have reached us that 

 the remarkable rose, Baroness Rothschild, exhibits this defect, in 

 common with that celebrated old variety, Madame Domage, the 

 autumnal flowers of which seldom present the almost redundant 

 doubleness of those produced in the summer season. 



We completed our observations for the summer season at the 

 extensive rose-grounds of Mr. John Eraser (Lea Bridge Road 

 Nurseries), in company with that eminent rosariau himself. These 

 will result, in due season, in not a little change in the selected lists, 

 which have hitherto held a certain position in our opinion, and even 

 mate, as our Transatlantic cousins say, indistinct divisions into new 

 and old, in giving future selections of the best varieties, which will 

 be forthcoming at the appointed time. 



ZONAL PELARGONIUMS FOR POT CULTURE. 



[ROPA GATING zonal pelargoniums for the decoration 

 of the conservatory and the embellishment of the 

 flower-garden, will be proceeded with in earnest during 

 the next three or four weeks, and possibly a selection 

 of the varieties most suitable for the conservatory will 

 be useful to many. One of the most prevalent mistakes in the 

 cultivation of the zonal pelargoniums for conservatory decoration is 

 the growing of the most popular bedders, which are, with but two 

 or three exceptions, utterly unfit for the purpose, and even when 

 well grown have a very ragged and unfinished appearance. It is 

 also a very frequent occurrence to meet with competitive groups at 

 public exhibitions, made up entirely with such varieties as Stella, 

 Christine, Trentham Scarlet, and others of a similar character, and 

 when they come before me to judge, I always feel inclined to with- 

 hold the prizes altogether, for, however well they are grown, the 

 collection does not have a satisfactory appearance, or create a 

 favourable impression on the visitor. None of the double-flowering 

 varieties are suitable for the flower-garden, but a reform in the 

 selection of the varieties is none the less necessary, for some cul- 

 tivators adhere to those varieties which were first introduced, and 

 are now quite surpassed. It is, of course, impossible for all gera- 

 nium growers to keep pace with the introduction of new varieties, 

 neither is it desirable ; to buy all that are distributed every year 

 would incur an unnecessary expense, and burden the houses with 

 plants, practically speaking, not really worth the room they occupy. 

 At all events, such is my experience, and, no doubt, it is not by any 

 means singular. My collection is not, perhaps, so large as many 

 others, for it only contains two hundred and sixty varieties. Room 

 cannot be spared for more, and when a new one is added to the 



