1SS9.] BEDDING PELARGONIUMS. 103 



flows along them frequently undergoes putrefaction, and is converted into a 

 black, frothy, pasty fluid, pregnant with disease and death. 



And if such has been the state of our running streams, the condition of our 

 stagnant pools and ponds has been even worse. So crying has the evil become, 

 that the authority of new laws has been invoked to abate the dangerous 

 nuisance. But while it is easy to enforce the law in large towns, it will be 

 difficult to bring it to bear upon small villages and isolated dwellings ; and the 

 inhabitants of towns are now loudly complaining that their rivers are polluted 

 higher up, in the rural districts beyond their control. This is undoubtedly the 

 case. It must be obvious that if the ditches and streamlets are permitted to be- 

 fouled, the river that receives them all cannot be made clean. Hence the 

 importance, and the appositeness of here discussing this great national subject. 



It has been said that if every housekeeper kept his own pavement swept, the 

 entire pathway would be cleansed. It is equally certain that if every home 

 utilized its own sewage, the water of the world would be preserved pure. Possibly, 

 in the end, the laws of health may be so extended as to include every dwelling. 

 Only thus can our rivers be thoroughly preserved from pollution. Were the 

 proprietors of gardens, however, wise in time, such laws would never be needed. 

 A thorough knowledge of the nature and properties of sewage, and an enlightened 

 regard to their own interests, would divert the whole of it from the water, and 

 place it on the land. The earth would speedily turn it to good account, and 

 afford conclusive evidence that it provided the only safe and interest-paying 

 bank for the sure keeping and profitable investment of this valuable deposit. 



Harchviclce House. D. T. Fish. 



BEDDING PELARGONIUMS. 



l ROM the Eoyal Horticultural Society's Journal we abstract the following 

 classified list of Pelargoniums tried at Chiswick, and reported on as having 

 obtained First-Class Certificates in 18G8. At this season, when selections 

 are being made for planting out in the summer beds, this information 

 will, no doubt, be acceptable to many readers : — 



§ I. — Leaves Self-colodred (P. inquinans type). 

 * Leaves green — Flowers single, round-petaled. 



1. Flowers scarlet : — 



Punch. — Vigorous ; flowers bold, bright, abundant. 1st class confirmed. 



St. George. — Vigorous, erect ; flowers deep crimson-scarlet. 1st class. 



Warrior. — Vigorous ; flowers large, bright, in the way of Punch. 1st class confirmed. 



2. Flowers cerise or rosy-scarlet : — 



Lady Middleton. — Moderately vigorous ; flowers bright rosy-scarlet. 1st class (1865). 



3. Flowers rose-pink : — 



Christine. — Moderately vigorous ; flowers clear rose-pink. 1st class confirmed. 

 * * Leaves green — Flowers single, narrower-pctalcd (Nosegays). 

 Orange Nosegay. — Straggling habit; flowers orange-scarlet. 1st class (1866). 



