42 



JOUaSAL OF HOHTICOLTCBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



[ Jaaoary 21, 1369. 



The foregoing was written before the late dry summer set 

 in, atkl it is cot unlikely the parasitical growth on the trees 

 refetred to in the beginning of this communication may have 

 considerably abated, for whatever may have been the advan- 

 tages or otherwise of the hot dry summer, it has certainly not 

 been productive of the Lichen complained of; on the contrary, 

 I imagine such vegetation to have been less plentiful than it 

 was in the previous year, although nothing had been done to 

 oradicato it. It is not improbable that the greater prevalence of 

 liiohen during the last few years may have been a consequence 

 of oar not having had for some time one of those extremely 

 iiot eeasons which, no doubt, correct abuses and restore the 

 proper balance in nature. It is rather by such changes in the 

 atmosphere as we had last July, that I hope to see this evil 

 abated, than by any apphoation which can be used on a' large 

 asale ; at the same time, if wo can destroy the parasite by using 

 some cheap destructive substance in places "where it can be 

 reached we ought to do so, and as lime seems to be the least 

 likely to do harm to other things, I have advised it. 



Possibly some other substance — soot, for instance, or a 

 oliemioal salt, may be found as efficacious as lime, or a wash 

 to be thrown on by an engine might answer. I have often 

 thonght of weak salt and water, but I am unwilling to recom- 

 mend it, as I am not certain that the remedy m:gUt not be 

 worse than the disease. Although I have on a small scale tried 

 it without finding any evil arising from it, I would rather that 

 some less dangerous mixture were used, as it is not the portion 

 that falls on the branches of the tree that I fear harm from, 

 but that which reaches the ground, and I am not sure that 

 the latter will do any harm unless the ground is already very 

 atifi and damp, in which case it would, I think, increase the 

 evil, while iu soils of a contrary description it may be an 

 advaitage. 



Should the Lichen I suppose to be an Evernia increase 

 instead of diminishing, as I have expressed a hope it would 

 alter tlie past hot season, the subject may again be discussed 

 ia those pages. Meanwhile, let those who are the greatest 

 suflerecs and have the means of trying any of the remedies 

 mentioned, do so, and report the result, or that attending the 

 use o! any other means of destruction that may be cheap, easily 

 applicible on a large scale, and effective. Such has been the 

 alarm caused by the inroads of Lichens on trees, that any 

 mode of arresting their progress, or destroying them, would be 

 a national be-on.— J. Eoeson. 



BEDDING PELAJIGONIUMS. 



It may be thought that the merits and demerits of bedding 

 Pelargoniums have by this time been sufficiently discussed ; but 

 if a comparison of the notes on this subject be made, it will be 

 found, that although all may agree as to the excellence of 

 certain leading and well-known sorts, yet each one is certain to 

 advance the claims to notice of some other kinds of which 

 mention has not been previously made. If for a moment it be 

 considered how unceasingly varieties are on the increase, it 

 would appear to be almost impossible for any one person to be 

 thoroughly acquainted with the merits of all the kinds sent 

 out ; for almost every florist of any standing has hie own par- 

 ticular batch of choice novelties, to each of which is attached a 

 fancy price, ranging from two or three shillings to as many 

 guineas. It therefore becomes a somewhat costl.y affair for 

 anyone who, wishing to keep pace with the times, is tempted 

 by glowing descriptions to invest more largely in novelties 

 than he would otherwise have done. I think it not at alUikely 

 that there will be any cessation of this overwhelming increase 

 of varieties, for in this instance it is not altogether a case of 

 supply and demand. A new variety possessing sterling qua- 

 lities, and offering some new and decided shade of colour, is 

 always certain to command a warm welcome and a ready 

 market; but the great bulk of new kinds being prob.ibly the 

 results of the labours of those who make cross-breeding an 

 amusement, and are delighted with their success in producing 

 fair-shaped flowers and passable trusses, such varieties are 

 pushed into the market without sufficient trial or comparison 

 with good standard kinds, causing much disappointment to the 

 parehaaer. 



In looking through Dr. Hogg's excellent " Gardeners' Year- 

 Book " for 18o9, I noticed the startling number of 138 new 

 varieties, under the heading of " Zonal and Bedding Pelargo- 

 niums,'* and the thought occurred to me. How many of these 

 new kinds will be in existence five or six years hence ? But 



very few, I imagine, for the weeding process must be unceas- 

 ingly carried on, and, therefore, we cannot have too many notes 

 from those who have collections large enough to make their 

 comparison of sort with sort of value. 



It may not be unprofitable if I endeavour here to point out 

 a few of the most desirable qualities in a bedding Pelargonium. 

 First, then, the habit of growth is of the greatest importance. 

 Of course, it will depend very much upon the position which a 

 plant is intended to occupy whether a more or less vigorous 

 growth is desirable; and here I refer strictly to the plant's 

 normal condition, because almost every plant can be forced 

 out of its natural growth by the constant application of sti- 

 mulants. I should say, then, that the habit of growth which 

 is likely to prove most generally useful, would be that of a 

 plant having sturdy close-jointed wood, of a moderately vigor- 

 ous character, and with branches so disposed as to produce a 

 spreading yet globular outline. Many of the choicest Nosegay 

 varieties are very faulty in this respect. Next, as regards 

 foliage, there exists a variety of opinions, some liking a plain 

 green leaf with no marking, as iu the case of Christine and 

 Lady Eokeby, while others prefer a leaf having a well-defined 

 zone, such as we have iu Adonis and Empress of the French. 

 Both kinds of foliage are good, but I am incUned to give the 

 preference to those kinds which, having a sufficient mass of 

 blossom to produce a fine effect when seen from a distance, 

 have also an additional charm in their beautiful leaf-markings, 

 which are only discovered on a nearer approach. That this is 

 likely to be the more common opinion of the two I am inclined 

 to think, because in order to enjoy a well-wrought combination 

 of colours it is best to keep at a certain distance from the beds, 

 so that the general effect may be fully realised. I hardly know 

 whether the first delighted gaze at the whole, or the after-stroll 

 among the beds, with the interesting discussion of the many 

 intricacies of foliage and blossom, is the more enjoyable. As 

 to flowers, that kind is the most useful which has them of a 

 decided shade of colour, produces them abundantly in large, 

 bold, compact trusses, borne on stout stems, not too lopg, but 

 yet of sufficient length to carry the trusses well above the 

 foliage. The petals, in addition to a broad, handsome outline, 

 should possess substance enough to withstand, in some measure, 

 the effects of wet. 



Doubtless, many varieties which are unsuitable for bedding 

 purposes prove most useful for the conservatory and vestibule. 

 This applies more particularly to the Gold and Silver Tricolors, 

 numbers of which form charming pot plants, and are perfect 

 gems under glass. These, together with many of the new va- 

 rieties of Coleus, concerning which I am glad to see at last a 

 favourable notice, will form a feature in the conservatory as 

 novel as it is beautiful and effective. 



That Italia Unita is a slow grower everybody knows, and yet 

 it is far too beautiful to be discarded. It is well adapted for 

 small beds ; and if strong plants two or three years old are 

 planted very closely, it forms a pretty bed, and its rich leaf- 

 tints will always render it attractive, though most likely these 

 very markings may cause it to be excluded from any regular 

 design ; still it and other choice varieties of a similar character 

 may serve to fill and render interesting many odd beds and 

 borders which would otherwise have to be planted with less 

 meritorious kinds. 



I noticed a fine Nosegay variety named Fire King, at the 

 June Show at South Kensington, exhibited by Mr. Turner. Its 

 large trusses, large even for one of its class, were of a deep rich 

 crimson scarlet, and if it prove a good bedder it is likely to be 

 extensively grown. 



I was much interested by the remarks of " Q. E.," in page 

 4.S7, more especially in ihe description of Pearl and Miss 

 Kingsbury, which appear to be desirable varieties. I cannot 

 agree with " Q. E." in his remarks concerning Le Grand, for 

 with me it is a splendid variety, producing a rich mass of im- 

 mense trusses, and having a fine broad petal, which is un- 

 equalled in its class. Possibly a difference of climate or soil 

 may be the cause of its inferiority with " Q. E.," as I observe 

 that Christine Nosegay, which with me has been very beautiful, 

 is also condemned. 



I find that iu writing of pink varieties in a former article on 

 this subject I failed to convey my meaning clearly. What I 

 meant to say was, that the cut flowers of Helen Lindsay were 

 still unsurpassed for decorative purposes, which was my only 

 reason for including it in my list, as I have never regarded it 

 as possessing the qualities requisite for a good bedder. I en- 

 tirely agree with " Q. E." as to the superiority of Maid of 

 Kent, which I have now grown for two seasons. It has a very 



