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CASSELL'S POPULAE GAEDENING. 



practice of ofiering prizes for specimen Ivy-leaved 

 Pelargoniams, and plants were produced, mainly 

 grown as pyramids, large in size, finely cultivated, 

 and covered with flowers. For warm green-house and 

 conservatory decoration they are invaluable. Ivj'- 

 leaved Pelargoniums require warmer treatment than 

 the ordinary Zonals ; they 'Should have a free open 

 soil, and the pots should he well drained. Cuttings 

 will strike readily in a little heat in spring or in 

 early autumn. 



Variegated-lemed Pelargoniums. — There is a large 

 group of these divided into several sections. There 

 are, first, the Variegated Zonals,, or Tricolours, of 

 which there are Golden-edged andSilver-edged-leaved 

 types. Then there are the ordinary Silver-leaved 

 varieties, the green leaves being broadly edged with 

 silver, cream, and white. Then there are the Gold 

 and Bronze, or Bicolours, in which the leaves are 

 golden, with rich, bronzy zones. All the varieties of 

 these sections are of the Zonal race, but the Bicolours 

 are all of more vigorous growth. Then there are 

 a few Variegated-leaved varieties of the Ivy-leaved 

 section that are very useful for bedding purposes. 



It would appear that Variegated Pelargoniums 

 were known in this country nearly two centuries 

 ago. One of the oldest known was Mangles' Varie- 

 gated; then came, after a considerable interval, 

 Lee's Variegated, and it is from this latter that Mr. 

 Kinghorn succeeded, in 1848, in raising the well- 

 known variety called Flower of the Day, which 

 is stiU to be found in gardens. Soon after the in- 

 troduction of this very useful, bedding variety— viz, , 

 in 1850 — the same raiser originated what may be 

 considered as the first Silver Tricolour-leaved Pelar- 

 gonium, which received the name of Attraction, and 

 was followed by Countess of Warwick, another of 

 Mr. Kinghom's seedlings. Then Mr. Grieve and 

 others became interested in the work. Several new 

 varieties were obtained, imtil Italia Unita was pro- 

 duced, in which a marked advance was shown. So far 

 the variegation had been cream or white. In 1844 ap- 

 peared a variety named Golden Chain, and this had 

 golden-margined leaves ; but it is generally supposed 

 to have originated twenty years previously. Then 

 followed a series of varieties culminating in that 

 beautiful and useful variety known as Mrs. Pollock, 

 and from this came Sunset, Lucy Grieve, Mr. 

 Benyon, Lady CuUum, and others, raised by Mr. Peter 

 Grieve, Gulford Hall, Bury St. Edmunds, which are 

 to be found in cultivation to this day. In the seedling 

 state all these were green-leaved forms, with a large 

 dark horse-shoe zone. When they reached a certain 

 stage of development variegation began to appear, 

 and presently the whole plant changed to this cha- 

 racter. This peculiarity is always noted in the case 

 of seedling Tricolours. 



Soon after the introduction of the Golden Varie- 

 gated Zonals, there appeared an entirely new tribe 

 of Zonal Pelargoniums, designated Gold and Bronze 

 or Bicolour Zonals. The disc and margin presented 

 a uniform yellow, bright in some, dull in others, or 

 rather of a pale gi-een colour, showing ofi to great 

 advantage the brown or cinnamon-coloured zone. 

 These were greatly improved, the golden-green leaf 

 character becoming more golden, and the zones 

 brighter in colour ; and being generally of robust 

 habit, they made excellent bedding plants, and be- 

 came very popular. 



Eespecting the culture of the Tricolours, most of 

 which make good bedding plants, it may be stated 

 that they require a rich, light soil. They are not 

 quite so hardy as the ordinary Zonals, and when 

 used in the open air they should be planted a little 

 later. Cuttings of these root less rai)idly than do 

 those of the common Zonals. They should be made 

 from well-ripened wood, and put singly into small 

 pots in July and August, keeping them in a gentle 

 wai-mth. The Silver Tricolours should have a poorer 

 soil than the Golden ones, and they succeed best in 

 the open air when planted in raised beds. In pots 

 they need careful culture — never over-potting them ; 

 using clean pots, well drained; a light, rich soil; and 

 keeping the plants warm and free from damp. The 

 Gold and Bronze Zonals, being vigorous growers, can 

 have the same treatment as the ordinary bedding 

 Zonals. 



Bybrid Pelargoniums. — There is a section of these 

 that, in all probability, have resulted from the cross- 

 ing of certain species that are well adapted for pot 

 culture and for bedding. We may mention EolUs- 

 son's Unique, crimson, very fine ; LUac Unique ; 

 Shrubland Pet, rose-coloured ; Picturatum grandi- 

 florum, white ; and Lady Mary Fox, scarlet. These 

 are all charming in pots. Then there are certain 

 Cape species, with their hybrids— the flower small, 

 but often produced in good trusses, and in many 

 cases brilliant in colour. Among them we may 

 mention Ardens, brilUant crimson ; Blandfordianum, 

 with its pale green Oak-like foliage; Echinatum, 

 white, spotted red ; and its fine hybrid varieties — 

 Spotted Gem, Rosy Mom, Beauty, Album multi- 

 florum, and Ariel ; Fragrans, Schotti, &c. Any one 

 fond of species of Pelargoniums with scented leaves 

 will be charmed with Capitatum, Eose-scented ; 

 Citriodorum majus, Lemon-scented ; Apple-scented ; 

 Nutmeg-scented ; Prince of Orange, scented like an 

 Orange; Crispum, Citron-scented; and Odoratissi- 

 mum, richly fragrant, one of the best. 



Seedling Pelargoniums. —The peculiar fascination 

 and interest which attaches to the raising of seed- 

 ling flowers, induces some persons to raise seedling. 

 Pelargoniums. It is necessary to raise the seeds in 



