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POPULAR GARDEN BOTANY. 



five hundred species and varieties, and these are constantly 

 increasing by the care and attention bestowed on them by 

 cultivators. Every year the sight is dazzled at the botanic 

 fetes by the colour and variety displayed in these plants ; 

 they seem, in short, to be brought to perfection both in size 

 and beauty. They are commonly known by the name of 

 Geraniums, but from these they differ in having seven fertile 

 stamens and irregular flowers. The old favourite, the Horse- 

 shoe or Scarlet Geranium, is known as Ciconium zonale, and 

 has now become so hardy that it only requires the frame in 

 winter. The Pelargonium is a true greenhouse plant, though 

 it will bear the outer air for a time in the summer : some of 

 the varieties are good bedding plants, as they flower well, 

 and are of a dwarf character : others have variegated leaves, 

 and make a pleasing variety, some of them have the leaf of 

 a light green, with a border of broad or narrow white, golden, 

 or light orange, or even pink ; a few have silvery variegated 

 foliage : these have the flowers scarlet, pink, or orange- 

 scarlet. Pelargoniums with sweet-scented leaves are not 

 uncommon, as the citriodora, hetulcefolium, capitatwm, quer- 

 cifbliim, and many varieties. A good selection of these 

 plants may be made by applying to some of the great cul- 

 tivators, as Messrs. Henderson and Co., and others. 



