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THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S TRIAL 
OF PELARGONIUMS. 
BY JOHN WALSH. 
S¢q,N continuation of my notes on the important trial of 
pelargoniums in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural 
Society at Chiswick, I now intend making a few 
remarks on the varieties grown for their flowers, for the 
purpose of indicating a few of the very best for pot- 
culture. As stated last month, the Chiswick collection was remark- 
able for its extent, and included all the leading varieties in the 
several classes, and a good opportunity was afforded for ascertaining 
which of the innumerable varieties are best suited for general culti- 
vation. I shall not attempt to enumerate all that are good, for toe do 
so would require much space, and the amateur would, moreover, be 
perplexed, by having placed before him a much larger number of sorts 
than it is possible for him to grow. I will, therefore, confine my notes 
to those only which, because of their splendid quality and distinct- 
ness, should have a place in gardens in which there is not a great 
extent of glass. It is now too late in the day to say much in refer- 
ence to the value of zonal pelargoniums for conservatory decoration ; 
but it may be well to remind my readers that, by a very simple course 
of procedure, they may be made to contribute to the attractiveness of 
the conservatory throughout the summer and until quite late in the 
autumn, and also that when they are grown for the embellishment of 
this structure, the common varieties employed for bedding purposes 
should be put on one side to make way for those of finer quality. 
According to the Chiswick trial, the very best for pot-culture are— 
A. F. Barron, brilliant scarlet, with white eye ; flowers of splendid 
quality, and freely produced. 
Excelsior, rich orange scarlet; the eye pure white, the pips 
large, of superb form, and borne in good trusses. 
Corsair, rich scarlet ; the pips of splendid quality, the trusses 
large and well-proportioned ; most useful for bedding, as well as for 
pot specimens. This is perhaps the most thoroughly useful of all 
the scarlet zonals. 
Mark Twain, deep crimson; a superb variety; the pips and 
trusses are alike remarkable for their large size and splendid quality, 
and the plant is of a compact branching habit, and therefore well 
suited for specimens. 
Lord Macaulay, rich crimson, is also exceedingly good, for the 
flowers are of the size and shape so much appreciated by the florist, 
and the habit of the plant leaves but little to be desired. 
The Moor, blackish crimson ; is the darkest zonal we have, and is 
most valuable for contrasting with the light varieties. 
Oharles Davis, crimson, suffused with magenta; is a superb 
variety, for the colour is peculiarly rich and attractive, the flowers of 
fine quality, and the habit most excellent. 
Charles Smith, rich rosy crimson; is also of a most attractive 
