lOG THE FLORIST. 



are annually sold by nurserymen, some of which prove inferior in all 

 respects to well-known sorts ; it is therefore advisable for purchasers 

 to see and judge for themselves. One of the best that has come 

 under our notice is Nimrod, in which a good habit and a large well- 

 formed high-coloured flower are combined ; this, however, is not a 

 new variety. Another, raised by Mr. Reid, of Mount Scilla Nursery, 

 near Chippenham, and named Reidii, has flowers of the most vivid 

 scarlet, dark horse-shoe leaves, and a dwarf habit. This is an ad- 

 mirable bedding Geranium, and promises to supersede many of the 

 leading sorts for that purpose. Several improvements upon the 

 pretty kind known as Lucia rosea have been raised from seeds, and 

 one of the best of them is Ingram's Princess Alice, which has much 

 brighter colours than its parent, and likewise seems to produce them 

 more freely. But the greatest advance has been made in the varie- 

 gated-leaved scarlet Geranium. A plant of this tribe, called by the 

 over-lengthy name of *' The Flower of the Day," was exhibited last 

 season by Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith, which, if it answers the 

 expectations formed of it, will quite set aside most of the variegated 

 varieties. The leaves are large and flat, deeply margined with white, 

 and the flowers resemble in colour those of Compactum. 



For the information of such of our readers as may be partial to 

 plants with variegated foliage, it might be mentioned here that there 

 is an Ivy-leaved Geranium which has that peculiarity. 



In this month the seeds of annual flowers are generally sown in 

 small patches in the vacant spaces of the mixed borders of herbaceous 

 plants. It was intimated in a former number that many of the old 

 annuals had been unjustly deposed by their modern rivals, less, 

 however, on account of the superior merit of the latter than in con- 

 sequence of the charm always conferred by novelty. It will perhaps 

 assist to rescue some of these former favourites from undeserved 

 oblivion, if we here give a list of some of the most desirable, and 

 add a recommendation to our readers to give them one year's trial, 

 when, by taking notes of their respective habits, colour, duration, and 

 other properties, much really useful information will be obtained 

 with a view to their future more eft'ective cultivation. If a small 

 piece of ground in some corner of the garden was to be set aside for 

 growing the undernamed kinds, together with the newer and more 

 popular species, the making of a judicious selection would be greatly 

 facilitated. 



Amaranthus hypochondriacus (Prince's Feather). The drooping 

 blood-coloured feathery flowers have a striking appearance. 



Aster tenellus. A very dwarf-growing plant, with blue flowers ; 

 well suited for an edging to a bed of some other colour. 



Cacalia coccinea. Its little tufts of orange-scarlet flowers are 

 very pretty. 



Calendula officinalis flore pleno (Double common Marigold). 

 Colour, diflferent shades of yellow, from lemon to dark orange. The 

 true double sort is very handsome. 



Calendula pluvialis (Small Cape Marigold). Colours white and 

 purple, showy. 



