390 REPORT ON HELIOTROPES. 



up where they meet. The parts corresponding to the dark 

 portions of the upper surface, are red behind, and the stalks are 

 purple, shaggy. It is a very effective plant, and was adjudged 

 to belong to the first rank in respect of its ornamental qualities. • 



LIII.— REPORT ON THE HELIOTROPES 



GROWN AT ChISWICK IN 1860. 

 By Thomas Moore, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., Secretanj to the Floral Committee. 

 The number of varieties of Heliotropes brought together for 

 comparative trial was '23. The plants were presented to the 

 Society by Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son, Messrs. Rollisson 

 & Sons, and Messrs. Low & Co. They were planted out toge- 

 ther in a compartment of the experimental flower-garden, where 

 they grew and blossomed freely, and in course of the summer the 

 following brief particulars were noted respecting them. The 

 observations apply only to their condition as grown in the open 



! found to range under six sectional 



§ 1. Varieties withdark-coloured foliage, and dark purple flowers, 

 and having a free habit of growth. The best kinds 

 in this group were :—Gloire des Massifs, Voltaireanum, 

 and Etoile de Marseilles. 



§ 2. Varieties with dark-coloured foliage and flowers as in § 1.. 

 but of a more compact and dwarfer habit of growth. 

 The most desirable variety of this character was La Petite 

 Neyresse. 



§ 3. Varieties with intermediate-coloured foliage, and of very 

 dwarf habit : quite a lilliputian. The representative of 

 this group was Voltaireanum nanum. 



§ 4. Varieties with intermediate-coloured foliage, and reddish- 

 tinted lilac flowers. This group contained some beautiful 

 sorts, namely :— Miss mghtingale, Beauty of the Boudoir, 

 and Etoile de Venus. 

 5. Varieties with mtermediate foliage, and light purple 

 flowers. A desirable kind having these peculiarities, 

 was called Gem. 



