GLOXINIA. 



103 



although he annually raised a large number of seedlings, 

 he could not succeed in obtaining anything better than 

 those already in cultivation. Being discouraged at find- 

 ing his best efforts so poorly rewarded, he had deter- 

 mined to relinquish the attempt. His seedlings that 

 season (1877) had nearly all bloomed, with the same 

 result. There remained but a few weak plants to flower. 

 Curiously enough, on the weakened and latest seedling 

 appeared a single flower, so distinct and beautifully 

 marked that M. Vallerand declared that he was quite 

 taken by surprise. It may be easily imagined how that 

 plant was cherished, the flower carefully fertilized, and 

 precaution taken to destroy every other bloom near it. 

 The seed ripened, and from this sprang many other 

 charming forms." 



Another interesting form has appeared in Gloxinia 

 Gesnerioides, a cross sent out by Messrs. Carter, of Lon- 

 don, between the Gloxinia and the Gesnera. It is but 

 little known in this country, but is described as follows : 

 "This desirable novelty is the result of hybridizing the 

 Gloxinia with the Gesnera, and the peculiar properties 

 of both species are fully united, for while carrying the 

 graceful habit and beautifully colored foliage of the 

 Gesnera, it produces the magnificent flowers so identified 

 with the Gloxinia." 



We make no attempt at a description of the natural 

 species, as they are no longer in cultivation ; neither the 

 florists' varieties, as these are innumerable. The great 

 pleasure in growing the Gloxinia comes from seedlings, 

 which are so readily and easily produced, and which fur- 

 nish such an endless variety of form and color, all desir- 

 able, that named varieties are not essential to the most 

 beautiful collection. 



The cultivation of the Gloxinia is very simple, and 

 nowhere have we seen it so well managed as by William 

 Falconer, Esq., of Glen Cove, Long Island. We give his 



