DECEMBER. 291 



June. I know that exhibitors generally are anxious, whenever they 

 admit a new variety into their collections, to obtain an " old bottom," 

 if possible, as it saves a year's time ; and my own experience con- 

 vinces me that many sorts do not produce blooms in perfection until 

 two years' old ; and I am confident many sorts are condemned the 

 first season, which, had they tJeen tried another year, and received 

 justice in growing, would have been highly admired. 



Many sorts, and particularly the high-coloured ones, are liable 

 to have the colour discharged from the margin of the petals. I 

 believe this disfigurement to arise, or at least to be aggravated, by 

 watering the plants, when in bloom, in the evening. I would recom- 

 mend all such to be only watered, when in bloom, in the morning ; 

 and I prefer this time of day for that operation in all stages of their 

 growth. 



As you have referred to my flowers, and the opinions expressed 

 of them, I may be permitted to say, that in whatever terms of praise 

 the "several publications" you refer to may have spoken of them, 

 they have at least been perfectly unbiassed. I am not one of those 

 who write "reports" upon their own flowers.* 



I have pleasure in expressing my testimony to the fidelity of the 

 figures of Ocellatum and May Queen ; they are, I think, as near to 

 nature as I have ever seen coloured plates of Pelargoniums. The side 

 petals of May Queen are made to cover too much of the top petals ; 

 but that may have been the case with the blooms forwarded to the 

 artist. I do not participate in your opinion that no great advance 

 has been made the last two years ; the two " novelties" you have 

 kindly figured " without pecuniary advantage," I beg to remind you 

 possess what you have recorded as the first point in the Pelargonium ; 

 and, 1 think, with Ajax, Ocellatum, May Queen, Nonsuch, Celia, &c. 

 I have no reason to feel disappointment, or join your lament ; I think 

 we have plenty of room for progress, and have confidence in the 

 capabilities of the Pelargonium to command a large share of public 

 patronage for long to come. 



One point more, and I close these already long observations. 

 All my flowers, with one exception, sent out this autumn, have been 

 shewn at the two principal metropohtan exhibitions, many of them 

 three or four times ; and I think often enough to warrant their being 

 sent out, whether they get into the collections next season or not. 



Reading, Nov. I5th, 1850. G. W. Hoyle. 



[We act in this case as we wish to do in all others. We have 

 stated our opinion, and Mr. Hoyle has done the same; it is now 

 for our readers to draw their own conclusions. We have often ex- 

 pressed it as our judgment that there are beauties of colour yet to be 

 obtained in the Pelargonium, of which we have scarcely dreamt. Its 

 popularity must continue, for we have no plant in cultivation to take 

 its place. — Superintendent.] 



* We insert tliis reflection, believinijj our friend Hoyle levels it at ourselves ; 

 had it been at another, we should certainly have suppressed it, for we higlily 

 disapprove of insinuations of all kinds. 



