Plate 375. 



BEGONIA, J. H. LAING. 



This is one of the more recent of the fine new varieties raised by Messrs. John Laing 

 and Co., Stanstead Park Nursery, Forest Hill, S.E. It was exhibited at the meeting of the 

 Royal Horticultural Society on June 10th last, and deservedly awarded a First-class 

 Certificate of Merit. The flowers are large, very stout, and finely formed, and of a very 

 rich orange- scarlet colour ; the habit of growth compact and of moderate height. 



There appears to be no limit to the production of new varieties of the Tuberous- 

 rooted Begonias. We are pleased to find that raisers are doing a great deal in the 

 direction of securing novelty in colour, dwarfness and compactness of habit, the property 

 of flowering freely, and the desirable quality of handsomely-marked leaves. The Begonia 

 is being improved all round ; and as this improvement goes on, the introduction of 

 distinct new varieties of high-class merit becomes of rarer occurrence, in consequence of 

 the general good quality of seedlings. We are informed that, notwithstanding the wet 

 and sunless character of the summer, these Begonias, as was predicted of them, have 

 made excellent bedding plants. 



Plate 376. 

 COLEUS TRICOLOR. 



We are indebted to Mr. H. Cannell, of the Nursery, Swanley, Kent, for the 

 opportunity of figuring this fine and distinct variety, recently awarded a First-class 

 Certificate of Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. It is one of a batch of new 

 forms raised by the Rev. Mr. Woodhouse, of Sydney ; is of an excellent habit of growth, 

 the leaves of a lively claret-maroon colour, with a distinct carmine flame along the centre, 

 and a distinct beaded edging of bright green. It is well named " Tricolor," for the three 

 colours are well displayed and in excellent contrast. We are informed by Mr. Cannell 

 that other varieties of the same batch of seedlings are equally fine and distinct, and 

 cannot fail to cause a stir when publicly exhibited. 



The Coleus has now become a leading exhibition plant, and in some parts of the 

 country large and finely-grown specimens are produced. There is a sameness among 

 some of the older varieties, and some novelty is required to give the necessary distinctness 

 of character. This fine new variety, Tricolor, and others we have seen, will give this 

 novelty in a remarkable degree. 



