124 MASSACHUSETTS HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Cineraria cruenta, from the Canary Islands, introduced into- 

 England in 1777, and supposed to be the progenitor of the present 

 varieties, — the contrast is truly remarkable ; thanks to the indom- 

 itable will and perseverance of the skillful hybridist. 



Today we have in the best types, plants of compact form with 

 immense flowers, frequently measuring three inches in diameter and 

 sometimes more. The best flowers are a perfect circle in outline, 

 the petals broad and overlapping each other, and the colors vary- 

 ing in endless shades of self and combinations. Yet it is singular 

 that — so far as I know — there is not a true yellow variety to be 

 seen in all our garden varieties. This is the more remarkable 

 when we reflect on the fact that quite a number of the species of 

 this genus are yellow. In my mind, a good yellow cineraria 

 would be a great acquisition. 



Dame Nature seems to have fixed laws, whereby we are appar- 

 ently unable to get certain colors in some species of plants. 

 Whether this law be real or only apparent I am not prepared to de- 

 cide, though 1 am free to s% that I think even the most skillful 

 hybridist is not so well informed in regard to manipulating colors 

 to the end of obtaining a desired tint or shade, as he is in select- 

 ing any other points for the accomplishment of a certain end. 

 Therefore more knowledge in producing colors in plants may in 

 time, to a certain extent at least, dissipate from our minds this 

 idea of the apparently impossible in this direction. 



A case in point. It has been thought that no other color than 

 white could be produced in the calla lily ; but we have now not 

 only a yellow calla, but a pink one as well, so we are told. 



This noble calling of ours then, is by no means exhausted in 

 any one branch of its infinite ramifications. 



The cineraria is eminently well suited for the decoration of the 

 cool greenliouse and conservatory, its bright and gorgeous colors 

 arresting the attention at once. There are very few individual 

 phuits of any kind, of equal size, that compare with it for a blaze 

 of showiness. But for a liouse plant it is a very indifferent 

 subject ; the gas and heat of the dwelling-house will destroy it in 

 a very sliort time. However, where there is a large bay-window, 

 or a similar structure attached to a dwelling-house, in which plants 

 are kept, the cineraria will do well. For cutting purposes it is not 

 well adapted, on account of the flower spikes being stiff and 

 formal, and also because it wilts ((uickly in warm rooms. 



