ON GERANIUMS. 



(Pelargos. Stork) the fruit or seed having a beak like a Stork's bill. 

 As this is an extensive genus comprising nearly three hundred 

 recorded species, and -five hundred varieties, and as the same culture 

 will not answer for them all, I find it necessary to divide it into three 

 Species. 



1. Species that have tuberous Roots. 



2. Species that have not been hybridized. 



3. Species that have been hybridized. 

 ] . Species that have tuberous Roots. 



These have thick fleshy tuberous roots, and some species have 

 short stems, but the greater part have no stems, the leaves and flow- 

 ers springing immediately from the roots. Some are exceedingly 

 beautiful, as P. longiflorum, niveum, Leeanum, undulaeflorum, rose- 

 urn, astragalifolium, asarifoliura, dipetalum, &c. &c. All of them 

 are pretty, and where there is convenience are well worthy of culti- 

 vation. Unfortunately, they require considerable care to cultivate 

 them successfully, and hence they are much out of fashion, which I 

 am sorry for, as I am pretty certain if they were better known, and 

 oftener seen, they would be more in request. 



A good greenhouse is the best situation for them during winter 

 and spring ; when in a growing state, they should be as near the 

 glass as the arrangement of the house will admit. Plenty of air 

 must be given on all favourable days. They should be frequently 

 syringed with cold water, and be smoked with tobacco, whenever 

 insects make their appearance. 



During the growing season, they require watering pretty freely, 

 but as soon as they have done flowering, and their leaves begin to 

 turn yellow, decrease the quantity of water gradually ; the best 

 method to do this will be to water once in three days, then once a 

 week, then once a fortnight, and lastly, once a month, by which 

 time they will be completely at rest, when no water must be given 

 to them till they begin to grow again, which may be looked for about 

 February or March. When at rest, any situation where they can 

 be kept moderately dry and cool, will do for them. Heut, light, and 

 moisture not being necessary. 



The best time to increase this section of Pelargoniums, is just be- 

 fore they begin to grow. Take off a small tuber or two where they 

 can be spared from each plant, and pot them into as small pots as 

 they can he placed just to cover them ; place them in gentle heat, 

 giving but little water until they begin to grow, when they may be 

 removed among the established plants, and the ordinary culture 

 given ; they may also be increased by seed, which, however, they do 

 no', "jroduoe so freelv as the shrubby species. 



