138 THE GARDENER. [March 



type, and, with intermittent attacks of a decided zonate form, has 

 continued up to the present time. 



My readers must not infer that I am no lover of the scarlet division. 

 On the contrary, I appreciate the beauty presented in the foliage and 

 flowers of its several sections, and admit their usefulness and adapt- 

 ability to the embellishment of the greenhouse or flower-garden ; but 

 I cannot agree with those whose enthusiasm in their culture 

 leads to the total exclusion of the large-flowering and fancy varieties 

 from a share in the adornment of either department. In fact, I have 

 no hesitation in saying that the neglect with which the latter sections 

 have of late been treated is a mistake on the part of professional 

 gardeners and amateurs ; and I would fain hope that the time is not 

 far distant when they will again receive the attention which their 

 decorative qualities deserve. 



As a means of bringing them into more favourable notice with the 

 public in general, I beg to suggest the propriety of Horticultural 

 Societies offering better prizes for collections of them at the summer 

 shows than have been offered in recent years. 



If we except the Azalea, no class of plants make a more striking dis- 

 play on the exhibition-table than a well-bloomed collection of large- 

 flowered Pelargoniums. Then the unassuming chasteness and refined 

 delicacy of colouring as presented in the flowers of the fancies, com- 

 bined with dwarf symmetrical growth, profuse and continuously flower- 

 ing habit, entitle them to a high place in the favour of all lovers of 

 flowers. 



Yet, notwithstanding the above recommendatory qualifications, we 

 must admit that fancies have not been "fashionable plants " for a 

 number of years ; and, what is strange, their unfashionableness cannot 

 be attributed to any fancy on the part of the ladies — and in most 

 cases they take the lead in such matters — as I have never known a 

 lady on seeing a well-grown specimen of this section, who did not 

 admire it. 



I have heard it urged as a reason for the neglect of large-flowering and 

 fancy Pelargoniums that little improvement has taken place amongst 

 them of late years. I admit their strides have not been so rapid as 

 in other sections ; still I venture to think that the pace Las been equal 

 to the encouragement given to those parties who make the raising of 

 new varieties of these plants a speciality; and although improvement 

 is not so apparent in them as amongst the scarlets, yet substantial 

 progress has recently taken place in the form and substance of the 

 flowers of both sections, to which, in the case of the fancies, may be 

 added a more robust constitution of the plants. 



I have also heard put forward, as a reason for their partial neglect. 



