FOR AMATEUR CULTURE 



nium family whose flowers rival the Orchid in 

 beauty of color. The late Peter Henderson 

 used to say that this was the showiest plant 

 he had any knowledge of, and that he would 

 rather have it than any other for the spring 

 decoration of the greenhouse and conserva- 

 tory. Certainly it would be difficult to find 

 anything more brilliant and rich in color. 

 There are varieties of the purest white, others 

 of dark crimson, scarlet, vermilion, and deli- 

 cate rose. Nearly all the colored varieties are 

 blotched and flaked and feathered with maroon 

 or white on their upper petals. Some of the 

 whites have markings of these colors, making 

 them strikingly beautiful because of the strong 

 contrast. Many varieties of recent introduc- 

 tion have broad petals with crimped and 

 ruffled edges, giving the effect of a double 

 flower. 



The season of bloom is early spring. The 

 flowers are borne in large clusters, and the en- 

 tire plant will be covered with them for weeks. 



I would advise the purchase of young plants 

 in spring. Grow these during the summer for 

 winter-flowering. Give the same kind of soil 

 and the same treatment as advised for the 

 Geranium. By frequently pinching them 



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