26 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Tropjeolum speciosum. — Flower about half an inch in diameter, of 

 brilliant scarlet crimson ; a native of Patagonia ; rare ; seems to be allied to 

 Tropeeolum pentaphyllum. 



Trop^olum tuberosum. — A beautiful variety, introduced about 1834 

 from Texas. It does not succeed in a greenhouse, but should be planted 

 in the open border. Unfortunately it is much given to running to leaves, 

 the flowers being sparingly produced. Leaves. five lobed ; flower stalk 

 long ; calyx orange red color, five cleft ; petals, deep orange, striped with 

 brown at the base. 



Trop^olum edule. — Not a very strong growing species ; introduced 

 into England from Chili about the year 1841; very much resembles in 

 foliage T. polyphyllum ; flower bud greenish; flower bright orange. The 

 bulb should be well covered with soil, and the roots allowed plenty of pot- 

 room ; water should be given moderately. A very pretty variety. 



Tropeeolum pentaphyllum. — A beautiful variety, but not generally 

 grown in this country. We have seldom seen plants in a healthy state ; 

 the fault seems to be watering after the bulb has become dormant. As a 

 general rule, it may be observed that the bulb of this variety during the 

 season of rest cannot be kept too dry, and the same remark applies to most 

 of the bulbous Tropseolums. During the growing season the bulb is often 

 injured by too much water; keep the root moist, and syringe the foliage 

 freely, as thus the health of the plant will be preserved. Properly grown 

 there is no prettier plant than this ; its foliage is particularly neat, and its 

 flowers beautiful. The bulb should have plenty of pot-room, the soil to 

 consist of loam, peat, and a little sand. The plant is too well known to 

 need a description. For this, and the varieties to be described, the green- 

 house is the only place ; they are too delicate for the border. This variety 

 differs from all others in its fruit, which is a juicy berry ; it has by some 

 been separated from Tropaeolum under the name of Chymocarpus penta- 

 phyllus. 



Trop^olum bracheseras. — A common variety in England, but rare 

 with us. The plant and bulb resembles T. tricolorum so closely that, till 

 the flower expands, it is impossible to distinguish the two varieties. The 

 flower is a bright yellow, with the base of the back petals delicately pen- 

 ciled Avith reddish purple. It was introduced from Valparaiso into England 

 about the year 1837 ; in its native country it is very common. We are 

 surprised this beautiful variety is so little cultivated in this country. A bulb 

 planted in a pot with one of T. tricolorum presents a beautiful contrast of 

 flowers. Propagated by cuttings. Soil, leaf mould, enriched by well rotted 

 manure, and a little sand. 



Tropjeolum tricolorum. — Probably the best known of any of the 

 bulbous varieties, and extensively cultivated. The beauty of its foliage, as 

 well as its elegant growth and profusion of bloom, always render it most 

 attractive. Though long cultivated it has never become common ; a few 

 plants will be found in every large collection, but it is never to be procured 

 in any quantity in this country. This beautiful variety was introduced into 

 England, from Valparaiso, in 18'28 ; the bulb will attain a large size, though 



