112 THE FLORIST. 



then stated to be the desideratum, the variegation of the old " Man- 

 gles," with profusion of good scarlet flowers, must, I think, be clear to 

 any one who watches the progress of the class. I know nothing more 

 surprising than to mark the strides that flowers of all kinds have 

 made within the last few years. Look at any gardening periodical, 

 and see the plates of what was esteemed perfection a few years ago ; 

 and though the retrospect be dashed with the feeling of regret that 

 you could have been so " soft," yet surprise at the advance, and 

 admiration of the perseverance of those through whom it has been 

 made, will, I doubt not, be the predominant feeling ; and so with 

 variegated Geraniums. We remember well, when one never saw 

 them in a gentleman's garden or greenhouse, they were to be found in 

 cottage windows, and amongst those who loved the curious ; but the 

 professional men who undertook to keep Lord So-and-So's and Sir 

 Somebody Something's garden in order, never troubled their heads 

 about them. But, when the present system of gardening came into 

 fashion, and bedders of all kinds were eagerly sought for, these plants, 

 which, 'ere this, had " wasted their sweetness on the desert air," were 

 all at once called into requisition for decorative purposes. Unfortu- 

 nately, the kinds then in vogue were not the thing ; but the florists 

 soon set to work, and Silver Kings and Queens, Mountain of Light, 

 and all other wonderful names, were invented to mark the distinguished 

 visitors ; and no care, no attention, was considered too great to bestow 

 on these now petted darlings, and well they deserve it. To my mind, 

 a bed of them well managed is the very gem of the parterre. 1 will 

 not ask you to come out in the glaring sun, when the scarlets, crimsons 

 and other bright colours absorb the attention, but just when the 

 fine summer's evening is drawing to a close, and the bright colours 

 are darkening in the unceasing twilight ; and now, if the garden be a 

 well-kept one, look at that silvery bed, see how beautifully the white 

 edge softens off into the twilight shade, and tell me if there be one 

 in the garden to beat it ? Well, but what should the bed be composed 

 of? For a long time, Flower of the Day was the favourite, but it had a 

 sulphur tinge in the white that spoiled its effectiveness, and moreover 

 the flowers were scanty and dull in colour ; while Brilliant, though 

 deserving the name as concerning its flowers, is almost valueless as a 

 variegation, especially in damp or rich soils ; indeed, in damp situ- 

 ations this class hardly answers. Then came a decided improvement 

 as Alma, with foliage of a much purer character, and with scarlet 

 flowers rather abundantly produced. Still improvement was needed, 

 and still the florist went on. Last year saw several new ones pro- 

 duced, and, from a careful comparison of them all, I am strongly of 

 opinion that Bijou will be the favourite for some time. Its name is 

 rather unfortunate ; in fact, I believe it was given to it before the 

 character of its growth was well ascertained. We always ascociate the 

 name with something very tiny, but the variety is in reality a very 

 strong grower, while its variegation is very clear, and the colour of its 

 flowers decided. Perfection is very beautiful, but I question whether 

 it will be so useful. Hendersoni, also, is a strong free grower, very 

 similar in character to Bijou, though with a tinge of sulphur in its 



