DECEMBER. 



THE PELARGONIUM. 



265 



The two varieties figured in our present Number were pro- 

 duced by Mr. Hoyle of Reading, the successful raiser of 

 Magnet, Mochanna, Medora, Colonel of the Burls, Basilisk, 

 Astrea, Zaria, Leonora, and several other fine kinds which are 

 well known to the public. Regalia and Virginia first bloomed 

 in 1852, and were grown on trial, and exhibited during the 

 past summer. Virginia is a flower of the Virgin Queen class, 

 but smoother, with a much darker spot on the top petals, and 

 a better-defined and much narrower margin of white. It is a 

 short, strong grower, something of the habit of Exactum. The 

 National Floricultural Society awarded it a first-class certifi- 

 cate in June last. Regalia was not submitted to the censors 

 of the National, but it was successfully exhibited at the Botanic 

 Society's Exhibition in Regent's Park, where it obtained the 

 medal for the best scarlet. A single flower of this variety 

 much resembles Incomparable, but it has a larger spot on the 

 top petals. Its superiority, however, consists in being a good 

 grower and free bloomer. It is equally adapted, and will be 

 very effective, either on the home-stage or exhibition-table. 



The time is fast approaching when the growers of this uni- 

 versal favourite will begin to take great interest in the pro- 

 bable results of the season of 1854; such interest, in fact, as 

 few but those who grow for our great Exhibitions have even 

 a faint conception of. We shall hear of beautiful Rosamonds, 

 Magnets, and Optimums, at one place ; sturdy Mochannas and 

 Enchantresses at another ; and wonderful Magnificents, Con- 

 stances, Rosas, &c. at a third; with Fancies growing like 

 water-cresses at Mr. Forcum's. This excitement goes on in- 

 creasing until the 13th of May, 1854, the opening day of the 

 season, when all our expectations and doubts will be confirmed 

 one way or other. 



Many, we know, when reading the accounts of our great 

 shows, are surprised at the names of the winning Pelargo- 

 niums, and ask the reason why so many, particularly in May, 

 are old varieties. The reason is evident enough to those who 

 attend the Exhibitions, and easily explained to such as have 

 not that advantage. A plant, to be in good condition early, 

 must be an old one, with well-ripened wood ; and this cannot 

 be the case with a new variety. There cannot be a doubt of 

 the policy of showing a good Rosamond, Gulielma, or Alonzo, 

 however old, compared with a plant of modern and better kinds 

 not in condition, and such as will undoubtedly displace them 



NKW SERIES, VOL. III. NO. XXXVI. A A 



