THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 329 
THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S TRIAL OF 
ZONAL PELARGONIUMS. 
BY JOHN WALSH. 
=a ROBABLY the most important of the trials in the 
BH Chiswick gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society 
during the past eummer was that of the Zonal Pelar- 
goniums. All the leading varieties, in addition to 
numerous new introductions, comprising, in all, several 
hundred, were, at the usual time, either planted in the open beds, or 
had a shift into larger pots, to be grown under glass. During the 
season they were at intervals subjected to a critical examination by the 
members of the Floral Committee, and others interested in these 
flowers, for the purpose of determining their relative merits. I had 
the opportunity of looking over the collection, and of instituting 
comparisons on several occasions when the plants were at their best, 
and made notes on all the varieties found to possess special merit. 
But to giveanything like a full transcription of my notes would occupy 
too much space, and to many of your readers would probably prove 
wearisome, and I shall therefore content myself with pointing out 
a few of those which are indispensable in the gardens of all classes. 
One of the results of the trial was to prove that a goodly proportion 
of the established varieties still hold a leading position in their 
several classes, so that in most instances the varieties which will be 
mentioned as the best in the respective sections may be procured at 
the ordinary rate. 
The undermentioned were especially noteworthy amongst those 
grown for their leaves, namely :— 
Macbeth —A fine golden zonal, vigorous in growth, the leaves 
large, with broad richly-coloured zone and bright yellow margin; 
one of the very best of its class for bedding. 
Countess of Ashburnham.—A vigorous variety, with ample, richly- 
coloured leaves. 
Bright Byes—An attractive golden zonal of free growth, with 
well-developed highly-coloured leaves. 
Mrs. Laing.—A fine silver zonal, which is probably the best for 
pot-culture and for bedding. The leaves are large and flat, the 
zone is broad and high coloured, and the margin pure white. 
Albion Oliffs—A variegated variety, with pure white margin, 
growing freely, and one of the best for large beds. 
Miss Kingsbury—A most useful variegated variety, of compaet 
branching habit. The variegation is of the purest white, and for 
bedding purposes generally it is one of the best in cultivation. 
Little Pet also belongs to the variegated section, and, owing to 
its remarkable dwarf growth, it is of considerable value for carpet 
bedding and for the formation of marginal bands to small beds. 
Crystal Palace Gem.—This is perhaps the most generally useful 
of all the golden-leaved varieties. It is vigorous in growth, very 
compact in habit, and the ample leaves are of a fine golden yellow 
November, 
