i|e iarbener's iloiit|lg. 



{Jommunireiions. 



GOOD GERANIUMS AND HOW TO GROW 

 THEM.-NO. 1. 



[Continued from page 15.) 



BY J. E. H. 



I will enumerate a few, imported last year from 

 England, and continue the list hereafter as others 

 are developed from still later arrivals: — 



PRINCESS OF WALES, Zonale, Dwarf. 



Pure white edge, with a prominent centre of 

 bright cherr}^ color. The eye is most distinct, not 

 running into the white. The petals are large, of 

 good subtanceand symmetrically arranged as to pro- 

 duce pferfect blooms. These come well up above 

 the foliage or strong foot stalks, and retain their 

 freshness and beauty longer than any G-eranium I 

 have ever bloomed under glass. The habit is excel- 

 lent, well established plants not exceeding 14 inches 

 in height. This is a very showy and attractive thing 

 in the greenhouse, being a conspicuous contrast, 

 even when surrounded by half a dozen Geraniums 

 of different colors. It is now blooming with charm- 

 ing effect. 



BRIDESMAID, Zonale, Dwarf 



Salmon. Color very full at the centre, shading off 

 lighter towards the edges with a kind of mottled or 

 marbled effect that imparts great richness to the 

 flower. In habit it is similar to the Princess of 

 Wales ; the blooms are large and showy, but, like 

 all salmons, not quite so numerous as could be de- 

 sired. It is, however, an acquisition in any collec- 

 tion however small. 



MADAME RUDERSDORF, Zonale. 



Salmon. Delicate in hue, shading down to a pure 

 white edge. It is entirely different from Brides- 

 maid in color, yet equally effective and beautiful. 

 Habit not dissimilar to its rival ; it is not designated 

 as a dwarf, but, with me, keeps within very modest 

 limits. 



WHITE TOM THUMB, Zonale, Dwarf 

 Pure white. Those who are familiar with Mad- 

 ame Vaucher will be apt to think this one of her 

 progeny. The flower is similar and nearly as large, 

 but the habit is dwarf, and it is a decided acquisi- 

 tion for in-door decoration. Madame Yaucheras a 

 larger sized kind, has not been surpassed by any ot 

 the newer whites. Well grown specimens I consider 

 indispensable throughout all the winter months. 

 UNIQUE, (J?o6mson"s,) Hybrid Pelargoniums. 



Davk red, maroon centre. An old favorite in 

 England, but does not appear to be disseminated 



here. It is an exceedingly distinct kind. The 

 flowers are not large, but the color is unusually deep, 

 producing a very rich effect. It blooms with me in 

 February, and is much prized whilst in flower. I 

 have not yet succeeded in growing this sort to my 

 mind ; its habit is somewhat awkward ; it grows 

 slowly, and may require more general treatment than 

 we have bestowed. 



It may not be amiss to state how these are grown 

 to the best advantage. Unlike the Scarlets, most 

 of these light colored, fancy Zonales grow mode- 

 rately in pots. It will not do to stimulate the growth 

 by the use of rich compost, or the result will be a 

 heap of fragile stems and leaves, and a dearth of 

 flowers. 



To obtain fine blooming plants in November cut- 

 tings must be struck very early in the year. When 

 rooted, transfer these to very small pots, using a 

 mixti^e of old leaf mould, a little charcoal dust, and 

 as much sand, — or better still, old lime mortar, fri- 

 able from age. 



When the pots are well filled with roots, transfer 

 to a size no larger than sufiicient for another start, 

 enriching the soil with a little rotten stuff from 

 an old hot-bed. Plunge the pots where they can 

 have the early morning sun, but not after 10 o'clock. 

 They must not, however, be set under trees, nor 

 suffer for want of water. Just before the dog-days 

 complete the last shift in the blooming pots, regu- 

 lating the size of these according to the dimensions 

 of the plants. 



The best soil I find to be one-third each of very 

 rotten and decayed hot-bed manure, (or cow dung 

 is still better), rotten turfy sod, and well-seasoned 

 leaf-mould, adding to this mixture a sprinkling of 

 the aforesaid old mortar, pounded small, and a little 

 charcoal dust. 3 or 4 small lumps of charcoal at 

 the bottom are very useful. But I also use cocoa- 

 fibre, — which the late Donald Beaton discovered to 

 have the most beneficial effects upon Geraniums. 

 A small quantity of this material mingled with the 

 above compost leaves nothing to be desired in the 

 growth of these and many other greenhouse plants. 



Geraniums must not flag for want of water during 

 July, August, and September, and they ought to 

 be frequently syringed during drought. Before the 

 1st of October, remove into a frame, and use the 

 sashes at night, only when frost is apprehended. 

 Translate into the greenhouse towards the end of the 

 month ; previous to which a little top dressing is 

 good, and a weak application of manure water use- 

 ful in helping along the flower buds. Throughout 

 the summer do not permit any blooms to expand. 

 Some kinds are apt to throw up several shoots from 



