THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 293 
The genus Caladium has apparently the advantage of possessing 
stigmas endued with longer-continued sensibility. Consequently, 
the chances of successful fertilization are better with it than with 
other genera. One fact is evident from Kellermann’s experiments : 
that is the impossibility of intercrossing the species. It is also a 
curious fact that, although Caladiums generally exhibit little variety 
in the shape of their leaves and colouring, there is another species 
in a wild state, which Wallis has shown is capable of giving birth 
to numerous varieties. 
Respecting the latter, M. Koch also says that there would 
appear to be no need of fertilizing with pollen from a variety with 
differently marked leaves; pollen applied to a different plant of the 
self-same variety being sufficient to give birth to a series of new 
varieties with the most diverse colours. 
According to this view of the case, chance must have had much 
to do with the production of the new varieties of Caladium, and 
M. Koch, whilst praising M. Bleu’s success, does not hesitate to 
assert that it has been over-estimated, and that a Bohemian grower, 
M. Skofritz, has obtained results in every way as satisfactory and 
deserving of admiration. 
I have not yet seen any of M. Skofritz’s acquisitions; but I 
feel confident that it will be a long time yet before M. Bleu finds a 
rival. According to the German writer, M. Kellermann has 
excelled his French rival by supplying our hothouses with hybrid 
aroids, obtained by crossing different varieties, and of superior value 
in a botanical and decorative sense. M. Koch also states that 
M. Kellermann’s varieties do well as chamber-plants, whereas 
M. Bleu’s varigated Culadiums require a hot-house. This, 1 venture 
to say, is a grave mistake. Like their progenitors, the new hybrid 
Anthuriums and Philodendrons are suited either to the hothouse or 
the temperate-house; but I have never grown a sun-growing 
Philodendron pinnatifidum, Simsii, Wendlundi, ete., anywhere but in 
a hothouse. In ordinary rooms they make a miserable growth, and 
are very short-lived. On the other hand, Caladiwms which have 
been suitably prepared, may easily be kept there in summer-time. 
They may be prepared by standing the plants on the top of the hot- 
beds in which they have been plunged, giving them air gradually, 
and watering with luke-warm water whenever the leaves begin 
to flag. 
Wiilst I fully admit the high scientific interest attaching to the 
crossing of an Anthurium with a Philodendron, I shall not, I think, 
be very far from the truth in saying that the variegated Caladiums 
will long remain the finest ornaments of our conservatories. Our 
florists would do well to make trial of the different methods by 
which MM. Bleu, Kellermann, and Skofritz have gained their repu- 
tations: they are easy to practise. 
A Spectra, Exureirion or CurysaAntuemums AND Frutr will be held at 
Manchester on November 28 and 29, under the auspices of the Royal Manchester 
Botanical and Horticultural Society. 
October. 
