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HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL, 



A MAGAZINE OF 



Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences. 



Edited and Published byR. ROBINSON SCOTT, No. 63 Walnut Street, between Second 

 and Dock Streets, lip stairs. 



Vol. I.] 



Philadelphia, January, 1853. 



[No. 9. 



ON THE PELARGONIUM. 



Probably there is no flowering plant that has been so long popular 

 and familiar to everybody as the Geranium, or rather the Pelargoni- 

 um. It is generally the first thing thought of for a parlor window; 

 and indeed it would be difficult to find a substitute, as it seems to ac- 

 commodate itself to any treatment short of downright neglect, it is 

 well worthy, however, of all the care that can be given it. The diver- 

 sity of color, delicate tints, and beautiful pencilling^ of some of the 

 new varieties are not excelled in any other flowers. Although they 

 will live under very indifferent treatment, still to bring out their true 

 character some little timely attention is requisite. The following re- 

 marks upon their treatment may therefore be useful to beginners. 



" The family of Geranium has been divided by L'Heritier into three 

 distinct genera — 1st, Erodium, having five stamens, five nectariferous 

 tubes, scales and glands, and the awns of the fruit twisted and bearded. 

 2nd, Pelargonium, which includes most of the Cape species, having 

 seven stamens, an irregular corolla, and a nectariferous tube runninc 

 down the peduncle. 3, Geranium, having ten stamens, a regular co- 

 rolla, five nectariferous glands at the base of the longer filaments, the 

 awns of the fruit being neither bearded or twisted." — Am. Med.Bot. 



Of these, the Pelargonium is the most showy, and has been most 

 improved by hybridization and high culture. Recently the Geranium 

 (of which the Horse-shoe Geranium is a familiar example) has also at- 

 tracted the attention of florists, and many beautiful varieties are now 

 produced. 



To grow the Pelargonium to perfection, the plants should be an- 

 nually pruned down to within five or six inches of the pot after they 

 have ceased blooming for the season ; the pots afterwards placed in a 

 ^J shaded situation out of doors, giving them very little water. Young G\ 



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