242 ON THE CULTURE OF PELARGONIUMS. 



again planted, each in a pot two sizes less than it had heen in. 

 Where there are numerous lateral shoots now produced, they are 

 stripped off, so as to leave hut a due proportion. These plants are 

 again re-potted in February into twelves, in a compost as before 

 directed ; they are afterwards thinned and otherwise treated, as done 

 the previous year. These plants make superior specimens to the 

 first season in size and vigour. When, however, an extraordinary 

 specimen is desired, the plant is not allowed to bloom much the first 

 year, so as to throw all the vigour possible into the wood : it is cut 

 down, as done to the others, to furnish a supply of laterals, and 

 treated in all other respects as above directed. 



Those persons who have not seen the superb specimens exhibited 

 by the London growers, can scarcely form an idea of their supe- 

 riority over what are seen in the country. By the above attention, 

 plants are obtained of the most healthy and vigorous growth, two to 

 four feet high and three to four in diameter, unique in form, and so 

 clothed with fine foliage down to the rim of the pot, that not a stem 

 is seen ; and I have counted upwards of a thousand trusses of flowers 

 on a plant of Joan of Arc, and a similar profusion on many other 

 kinds. 



I admit that a little regular attention is required by this mode of 

 treatment ; it is, however, but trifling, and the result very far more 

 than compensates for it. 



I know of no tribe of plants (the Dahlia excepted) where greater 

 improvement has been effected. It is but little more than twenty 

 years since the first hybrid productions of the late Mr. Dav.ey, of 

 King's Road, Chelsea, were raised, viz., " Prince Regent," " Com- 

 mander-in-Chief," and then the celebrated " Daveyana;" but what 

 has been effected since then, both in superb striking-coloured flowers, 

 perfection in form, and a mode of culture which it was then scarcely 

 thought to be attainable ! 



I well recollect visiting, on several occasions, the collection of Mr. 

 Davey, when he was in the zenith of his Geranium culture, and 

 observing with what increased admiration every new and varied pro- 

 duction was hailed by him; but had he been living at the present 

 period, what would have been his feelings of delight to have seen the 

 collections of Messrs. Foster, Garth, Gaines, Catleugh, Cock, Hen- 



