THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY 



[July. 



creased care, and more vigor in the plant. After 

 a few weeks it grew vigorously and the leaves 

 still retained the indications of being a hybrid; 

 they had the lobed and jagged leaves of the Rose 

 Geranium and the crispness of the Pelargonium ; 

 but the leaves were distinct from either. I propa- 

 gated several plants to guard against losing the 

 stock. I waited almost impatiently for them to 

 flower, but, after some time, it began to seem to 

 me as if they were intending to consult their own 

 pleasure in this matter. 



I have waited three years. A few days since 

 they came in bloom and most profusely. They 

 prove to be genuine hybrids (cross between spe- 

 cies). The flowers are midway in size between 

 the flowers of the Rose Geranium and Pelargo- 

 nium ; they have the rose color that belongs to 

 both parents but inclining to the silvery rose color 

 of the Lady Washington Pelargonium, while all 

 the petals are stained with the rich dark maroon 

 that enriches the beauty of the petals of the Pelar- 

 gonium. I hope to make it the basis of a class of 

 larger-flowering Rose C.eraniums. Thus — as is 

 also suggested by Jean Sisley in his article, page 

 185 of June Gardeners' Monthly, 1884, in which 

 he speaks of a new species in Caryophyllacse 

 arising from a cross between Dianthus plumaris 

 and D. caryophyllus — the creation of new species 

 as well as varieties is not altogether beyond the 

 reach of human effort and perseverance.. 



New Albany, Ind. 



SHRUBBY BEGONIAS. 



BY N. ROIiERTSON. 



There are very few classes of plants more easy 

 to manage than these are, requiring a good open 

 porous soil, fairly rich, with their drainage perfect, 

 and at no time an over supply of water. Their 

 roots will not bear any sour material or stagnant 

 water about them. The little care they require, 

 and the fine display they make, will always place 

 them amongst the first ranks on the shelves m the 

 greenhouse. No class of plants will more easily 

 succumb to your wishes than they will. 



In most all collections of plants are to be found 

 such varieties as Begonia Fuchsioides, Sandersonii, 

 Richardsonii, Wcltoncnsis, and a few others which 

 are always a pleasure to sec, but there are others 

 not inferior, perhaps superior, of which we never 

 hear or see anything, a few of which I will notice ; 



Begonia Manillcnsis. — I cannot say that I have 

 ever seen a more desirable one than this, and that 

 will give more satisfaction. It has all the qualities 



that could be desired. A hardy constitution, always 

 in flower, with its white wa.\y looking foliage and 

 flowers, and neat dwarf spreading habit, makes it 

 one of the best plants I know of for any purpose. 

 Cuttings just rooted throw up their flowers. In 

 fact I have never seen it out of flower. 



Bfffonia Caracasiana. — Of more robust, stately 

 habit, bearing great abundance of light silvery 

 pink flowers, with its beautiful foliage, will make 

 its mark anywhere in a collection. This one, in so 

 far as I have seen of it, may be called a winter 

 flowering one. Its flowers are of long duration, 

 and very attractive. 



Begonia Diadema. — Of its flowering qualities I 

 cannot say, as I have not had it long enough to 

 prove that ; but its unique foliage on short fleshy 

 stems, and its leaves marked with white oblong 

 blotches, make it an attractive specimen amongst 

 other plants, and deserves a place in all collections. 



Begonia incarnata. — This one is perhaps more 

 frequently seen than any of the others, but not 

 half so often as it deserves, for there are few of 

 this class will do more to enliven the conservatory 

 through the dullest months in the winter. It is 

 always one mass of flowers with me during January 

 and February. 



There are perhaps many more just as deserving 

 of notice as these are, but I am afraid this class is 

 being over-shadowed by the tuberous rooted var- 

 ieties. Much as they are to be admired, it would 

 be a great pity to see any neglect shown to the 

 shrubby varieties, which are surely more useful. 

 The tuberous ones being mostly deciduous, which 

 makes a blank part of the season. 



Mrs. Bonner's notice in your March number is 

 certainly interesting. She makes some good hits 

 over this class of plants when she says she sees 

 many notices of them but fails to find them in any 

 catalogue, or anywhere else. Her case is mine. 

 My search has been in vain also. Her hints aie 

 good, and we hope to hear her "speak in meeting" 

 again. Supt. Government Grounds, Canada. 



BLIND WOOD IN ROSE PROPAGATION. 



BY T. V. S. 



Mr, Williams, of Sharon, Pa., complains of 

 "blind shoots" and lays it to the use of "blind 

 wood" for cuttings. Well, he is just about right, 

 my experience in using that kind of wood boars 

 out his theory. I was formerly in the habit of 

 using "blinds," because they seemed to strike 

 easier, and there was a seeming saving of bud 

 bearing wood. 



