Stove and Greenhouse Plants and Flowers 197 



the last potting it will help the plants considerably also. From this time 

 onwards as little fire heat as possible is given perhaps only at night to 

 prevent damping and on all genial days as much air as possible is given. 

 This hardens the plants off by the middle or end of May, when the 

 bedding-out season may be said to commence in earnest. The plants are 

 sold either in 3-in. (60's) or 5-in. (48's) pots, fetching from 2s. to 2s. 6d. 

 and 4s. to 5s. per dozen respectively; and in cutting boxes, containing two 

 dozen " rooted " cuttings, fetching Is. 6d. to 2s. Qd. per box. 



Apart from the sale of plants, Zonal Pelargoniums are also grown for 

 the production of cut flowers in winter, spring, and summer. This trade 

 developed many years ago, when there were fewer flowers to be had and 

 prices were better. The single varieties even in those days sold, but the 

 flowers soon dropped, and it was not until the idea of " gumming " blossoms 

 arose that an extensive trade was done. It is said that the gumming of 

 single " geranium " blooms was first practised by a costermonger, who 

 found that when he stuck the petals on, as it were, he did a more flourish- 

 in or trade. The double-flowered varieties need no gumming. To secure 



o> O CT 



plenty of bloom in winter, cuttings should be struck in spring, and the 

 plants potted up and grown on out-of-doors during the summer months. 

 The flower trusses are pinched out when they appear, and not till Sep- 

 tember or October according to circumstances are they allowed to develop. 

 Not only must plenty of light be given to winter-blooming Zonals, but the 

 atmosphere must be kept fairly dry, and the temperature should not fall 

 below 65 F. at night, while 70 to 75 will not be too much during the day. 



The following are some of the best market Zonal Pelargoniums at 

 present: Scarlet and crimson /lowered: Paul Crampel, Vesuvius, West 

 Brighton Gem, Corsair, George Potter, Admiral Togo, Henry Jacoby (rich 

 crimson), John Gibbons, Paul Fairer (brilliant orange scarlet), King 

 Edward VII, Jacqueri, &c. 



The first-named " Paul Crampel " seems to have taken the world by 

 storm. It has practically displaced the old favourite " Vesuvius ", and has 

 reduced the immense popularity held for so many years by the finest of all 

 crimsons " Henry Jacoby ". " West Brighton Gem ", with its whitish and 

 green-striped stems, sturdy bushy habit, and tine scarlet flowers, still holds 

 its own pretty well. 



White- flowered: Snowdrop, White Vesuvius, Snowdon, Albion, White 

 Princess, White Perfection, Queen of the Whites, International, Queen of 

 the Belgians. 



Pink-flowered : Master Christine, Mrs. Turner, Mrs. French, Constance, 

 E. F. Crocker, Mrs. H. Cannell, Mrs. Brown Potter, Henry Compton, 

 Coomber's Pink. 



Silver-leaved: Flower of Spring, Day Break, Mrs. Parker, The Bride, 

 Dandy, Little Dot, Silver Queen, the best silver; Lucrece, Mrs. Lever, &c. 



Green-and-gold-leaved : Crystal Palace Gem, Cloth of Gold. A one- 

 time old favourite " Happy Thought " seems to have vanished from 

 market circles. 



