PELARGONIUMS. 



73 



Blanche, white. 

 Dr. Stuart, white. 

 Gold Crest, golden yellow. 

 Lilian, lilac. 



YlOLAS — VlOLETTA 



(Small-flowered.) 

 May, lavender and white. 

 Myra, sulphur. 

 Oliver, violet blue. 



Picotee, white-edged blue. 

 Violetta, white. 

 White Lady, white. 



PELAEGONIUMS. 



All the more popular varieties, included in the Large-flowering, Show, Decora- 

 tive, Fancy, Zonal and Ivy-leaf sections, have originated from the earlier intro- 

 ductions of pelargoniums from the Cape of Good Hope, and are the outcome of much 

 well-directed zeal on the part of florists. At one time the show and decorative sections 

 were mostly grown, but these have scarcely held their own with the more generally 

 serviceable single and semi-double zonal varieties. Not because there has been any 

 relaxation in the direction of raising new and improved varieties of show pelargoniums, 

 but rather on account of the zonal section being more continuous in flowering, and easy 

 to be had in attractive condition during the duller months of the year. All are alike easy 

 to propagate and cultivate, and are well within the reach of every one having a green- 

 house to partly devote to them. 



Show, Decorative, and Fancy Sections. 

 Of the show or true florists' pelargonium it may be said the leaves are crisp and more 

 or less deeply cut. The flowers should be nearly flat and not in the least reflexed. 

 Petals nearly equal in size, rounded and smooth at the edges, of good substance, and 

 arranged in a perfect circle. Size of bloom not less than 1| inches in diameter. Colours 

 clear, distinct, and bright, with uniform edges, into which the dark blotch should not 

 run. The plant ought to be dwarf rather than tall in habit, and floriferous. The 

 truss should stand up well above the foliage, and the number of blooms forming a truss 

 be not less than five. 



Propagation. — Cuttings of firm young side shoots that have not flowered may be 

 rooted any time from the spring to the autumn, but the usual time is when the plants 

 are cut down after flowering, though it is better to take them sooner. Shorten these 

 young shoots to a length of 2 inches or rather more, cutting cleanly across below a joint, 

 and trim off the lower leaves. Lay them in a shady place long enough for the wounds 

 to dry. Fill clean well-drained 4-inch pots with a mixture of fine loam two parts, leaf 

 soil one part, and a sixth part of sharp sand, making this firm, and facing over with 



VOL. II. l 



