CHAPTER IX. 



THE GERANIUM HOUSE. 



THE cultivation of Fancy Pelargoniums is so well known 

 and appreciated, that but few remarks are necessary to 

 bring it into favour, or to induce most people to com- 

 mence growing them for the purpose of sale. But as 

 there may be some who never tried what can be done 

 by cultivating this popular flower, I may be excused for 

 making a few observations about it. 



There are many classes of this tribe, but none 

 scarcely comparable to the large-flowered fancy sorts. 

 These are most attractive when well grown, and are 

 always saleable at good prices ; of late years the Zonal 

 and Nosegay classes have come into much repute, on 

 account of their being all but perpetual flowerers, being 

 also less difficult to grow than some of the fancy show 

 sorts. The Tricolors are certainly beautiful in the 

 foliage, and that is all ; but they are in most cases dif- 

 ficult to grow well, requiring a good and even tempera- 

 ture of a moderately high degree, with good soil and 

 pot room. They are, however, useful for cut foliage to 

 place outside a bouquet, and for a button-hole ; but 

 there is no class more favoured than the original type 

 of the Fancy Pelargonium, such as Queen Victoria, 

 Favourite, Acme, Fanny Grair, &c. 



But it is not now my purpose to make lists of any 



