118 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
month or so before they can be planted out, as it is essential to 
maintain them in a progressive state throughout, and it should be 
generally known that strong bushy plants, well established in five- 
inch pots are the most useful for bedding purposes. The alternan- 
theras, on the other hand, should be grown in the shade, and be 
supplied liberally with water. Under these conditions they grow 
vigorously, and soon attain a comparatively large size; but when 
fully exposed to the sun they produce high coloured leaves, and 
increase in size very slowly, and the coloured leafage is not necessary 
until after they are bedded out. Alternantheras and coleus should 
be bedded out about the end of May, and to ensure their being well 
hardened, they must be removed to a cold frame, and be fully 
exposed during the day for a fortnight previously. 
All the plants of a tufted or spreading habit, such as the ceras- 
tium, lobelia, and verbena, must be stopped as may appear necessary 
to keep them compact, and in some cases to prevent their being 
exhausted by flowering whilst in a small state. 
NOVELTIES FOR 1875. 
BY GEORGE GORDON. 
“aw. S in past seasons,a considerable number of novelties have 
it) this year been introduced to public notice, and, as usual, 
a Ws §©=but few have justified the highly laudatory descriptions 
k@ = with which they were accompanied, and the major por- 
——= tion have proved to be quite inferior to the best of the 
established kinds in the respective classes. Some few of the new 
plants, fruits, flowers, and vegetables that have been anrounced in 
the trade lists, or have made their appearance, possess undoubtedly 
sufficient merit to justify their general cultivation for the purpose of 
supplementing or superseding, as the case may be, old favourites ; 
and for the guidance of readers of the Ftoran Worxp who take an 
interest in novelties, I will proceed to give a few particulars of such 
of the new things as have come under my notice. For convenience 
of reference, I will group them under suitable headings, and com- 
mence with the 
Prants.—The majority of these require a stove temperature, and 
consequently are of interest to a comparatively limited class of 
readers only. 
Bertolonia Van Houttei is one of the most beautiful of the small- 
growing fine foliage plants. The leaves are of rich velvety green, 
with large bright rose-coloured spots regularly disposed over the sur- 
face. The colouring is exquisite, and the plants, when exhibited, 
excited much attention amongst connoisseurs. 
Several new Begonias have been introduced, and as they may be 
grown to make a grand display in the conservatory during the summer, 
with the assistance of a common frame, they are deserving the atten- 
tion of all classes. Some, indeed, are so hardy that they may be left 
