88 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



Colouring. — In a cool season no difficulty attends tlie accomplish- 

 ment of this ; not so in a summer like the one just past. Too strong 

 sunshine has a bleaching tendency, even to the extent of evaporating 

 the colour along with the sap of the leaves, and in numerous instances 

 burning the tissue on the leaves into brown spots. This is especially 

 the case with plants turned out of a warm close atmosphere. 



AVhile the slightest shade prevents colouring most effectively both 

 in and out of doors, an open airy situation, on the other hand, pro- 

 duces and accelerates it rapidly. The richest colour I ever witnessed 

 on any tricolor was shown on a plant of Lady Cullum, and this was 

 brought about by the following conditions : After being grown over 

 the summer in a cold pit, open night and day, but shaded from the 

 sun a good portion of the day by a wall which stands opposite, this 

 plant was placed along with others in the full sun, with no other pro- 

 tection than a sash-frame raised above them upon brick piers erected 

 beneath each corner. ^Meantime the breezes of the most airy situa- 

 tion of the garden were allowed to circulate without restraint. 



While the colouring process is being accomplished, water ought to be 

 afforded them in more limited quantities than previously ; but do not 

 allow them to flag for want of it, always supplying the water in the 

 evenings, and syringing overhead at the same time after strong sun- 

 shine. 



BRONZES. 



These are gifted with a stronger constitution than the tricolor 

 section, and are thereby more qualified to rough it in winter. With 

 few exceptions the same conditions favourable to the growth of 

 the common zonal will suit them ; but, notwithstanding this, where 

 ample accommodation is at command, I should allot them a place by 

 the side of the tricolors, and otherwise treat them the same, with only 

 this difference — viz., add one part more of loam to their compost, and 

 a small portion of guano to their water, while they are finishing their 

 growth. 



The following list of sorts we annex ; they are all first-rate : Golden 

 tricolors — Lady Cullum, Sir Robert Napier, Mrs Turner, Miss Watson, 

 the Moonston, Jetty Lacey, Sophia Dumaresque, L'Empereur, Queen 

 of Tricolors, and Lucy Grieve. 



Silver Tricolors — Italia Unita, Silver Cloud, Glow-worm, Burning 

 Bush, Lass of Gowrie, and Charming Bride. 



Bronzes — Crown Prince, Mrs Grimond, Goldfinder, Duke of Edin- 

 burgh, Black Knight, Sybil, Prima Donna, Lady Musgrave, Ebor, and 

 Countess of Kellie. A. Kerr. 



