POPULAR FLORIST FLOWERS 79 
means of cuttings taken any time of the year, if brittle and 
herbaceous. Soil as for Geraniums and treatment similar. 
Pelargonium. Show- or English Pelargoniums are increased 
in and grown in the same way as Geraniums, but in somewhat 
richer and more solid soil. Some of the varieties are extreme- 
ly beautiful, of vivid, velvety colors. ‘They flower during 
spring and summer and bloom for a long time, but not con- 
tinuously as Geraniums. ‘The Martha Washington variety is 
most common in America. Others can be had of most florists. 
The Petunias. Double Petunias are raised from cuttings, and 
after rooting and the first potting do well under a treatment 
and in soil similar to that for Geraniums. Petunias are some- 
what difficult to root, and they must be prevented from rotting. 
The cuttings should be made of soft and brittle wood and 
split in the lower end. ‘They should be potted rather firmly 
and kept shaded for a day or two afterward. ‘There are many 
richly colored, striped, and mottled varieties, as also uni- 
colored ones. White varieties are the best. 
