THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 



in a lofty conservatory with ample roof space in which 

 it can push its way and perfect the blooming wood. 

 The plant sends forth shoots from the main branches, 

 and at the points of these the fine pale pinkish 

 magenta flowers are produced, in a kind of lengthened 

 raceme, hanging down perpendicularly, as in the case 

 of T. Vantolxemi. Ample root and head room is in- 

 dispensable to this fine Tacsonia : and when these are 

 afforded, we think this species will give an unbounded 

 satisfaction. 



TUBEROUS-ROOTED BEGONIAS AS EXHIBI- 

 TION PLANTS. 



At some of the provinicial flower shows our attention 

 has been attracted by these plants, in the shape of 

 finely grown Exhibition specimens. We are glad to 

 see that compilers of schedules of prizes are recognis- 

 ing the value of these fine decorative subjects, and 

 there is no better means of popularizinggood things than 

 by securing for them a place on the exhibition table. 

 The merits of these fine things are undoubted, but 

 when they were first mentioned as fit subjects for the 

 exhibition table, it was stated that in the process of 

 being carried to the show, many of the flowers would 

 fall. But we have seen very large plants that had been 

 carted for a considerable distance to the place of ex- 

 hibition so full of bloom, that it was difficult to believe 

 they had lost any flowers in the transit. The exhibi- 

 tion table teaches another lesson in regard to these 

 Begonias, that the large-flowered varieties are as freely 

 bloomed as the small-flowered forms. There may be 

 exceptions to this, and we hesitate in the absence of 

 a wider experience to attest that all large-flowered 

 Begonias are free ; but we have seen several varieties 

 as profuse of bloom as could well be desired. A 

 specimen Begonia, when well grown and of large size, 

 laden with flowers of a striking hue of colour, cannot 

 fail to attract ; and when we have seen them at flower 

 shows, the plants have always gathered admiring 

 crowds about them. It is time prizes were offered for 

 these Begonias at the large London Exhibitions. We 

 turn to these naturally to lead the fashions in horti- 

 culture, and they should be giving encouragement to 

 the cultivation of these Begonias. The varieties are 

 now so numerous and fine as to afford a large choice 

 for exhibition purposes ; and new forms rival the 



Zonal Pelargoniums in the rapidity with which they are 

 being distributed. 



DOUBLE POTENTILLAS. 



Notwithstanding the great beauty of the double 

 varieties of the Potentilla, they appear to grow slowly 

 in popularity. There are now a goodly number of 

 varieties, and some of them are very handsome indeed, 

 and of a bold and showy character. So much have 

 the flowers improved of late, that they have become of 

 great size and as fully double almost as those of a rose, 

 and they are characterised by an exceeding brilliancy 

 of colour, such tints as crimson, red, orange, gold, etc., 

 being very prominent. 



Some of the newer double forms will be found in 

 Dr. Audry, yellow and fiery -red, very large and full ; 

 Louis Van Houtte, fine red, blotched with fiery 

 orange, extra fine ; Meteor, red and gold, very bright; 

 Mons. Raoul, very rich crimsom, extra fine ; Perfecta- 

 plena, very bright, though not so fully double as some, 

 yet very showy ; Versicolor florepluro, very fine ; also 

 Chameleon, Chromatella, Etna, Flambeau, Marginata, 

 Negroplena, Vase d'or, and William Rollisson. The 

 double varieties have one advantage over the singles, 

 in that they are of a dwarfer and more compact growth, 

 and the more this character of habit can be secured 

 the better will it be, as Potentillas have been objected 

 to as garden plants on the ground of their loose strag- 

 gling growth. 



The most effective way of showing off the Potentillas 

 to advantage is to make a bed of them. A fairly stiff 

 loam that works well, and is a little sandy, with some 

 good manure worked into it, suits the Potentillas well, 

 and thus a durable plantation can be made. We are 

 glad to see some of our English nurserymen are en- 

 deavouring to improve this useful class of plants. 



PRIZES FOR ASPARAGUS. 

 The Hon. and Rev. J. T. Boscawen has added £5 to 

 Mr. W. Robinson's first year's prizes for Asparagus. 

 The first competition will be held for these prizes at 

 the Bath and West of England Society's Show in 

 1881 . Prizes will be offered for market-garden-grown 

 Asparagus, as distinct from that grown in private 

 gardens. 



