Plate 319. 



DECORATIVE PELARGONIUMS. 



This term is one of recent introduction, but it serves to designate a race of Pelargoniums 

 admirably adapted for general decorative works, having a close, short-jointed, and robust 

 habit of growth ; producing many shoots, and a large abundance of fine trusses of flowers. 

 The two varieties now figured are comparatively new, and were raised by Messrs. W. and A. 

 Brown, of Hendon, who are very large growers of Pelargoniums for market purposes. In 

 raising seedlings, this firm bred exclusively for the qualities required in market plants, but 

 so brilliant in hue are the two varieties drawn by Mr. Fitch, and of such excellent form and 

 substance, that they can scarcely fail to take high rank as exhibition plants. We recently 

 saw a large number of market plants of these two new Pelargoniums in Messrs. Brown's 

 Nurseries, at Hendon, growing in forty-eight pots ; and the dimensions of the plants, their 

 healthy foliage, and striking heads of bloom were something astounding. These two varieties 

 can be specially commended for the embellishment of the conservatory and greenhouse, and 

 for cutting from ; and when once cultivated will not soon be abandoned. 



Plate 320. 



NEW EANCY PANSIES. 



At the great exhibition of the Eoyal Horticultural Society held at South Ken- 

 sington in May last, Messrs. Downie and Laird, Nurserymen, Edinburgh, showed some 

 stands of Fancy Pansies of extraordinary quality, three varieties of which Mr. Fitch has 

 sketched on the accompanying plate The great size and stoutness of the blossoms, their 

 fine shape and smoothness and brilliant colours, commanded general admiration ; and, indeed, 

 so gorgeous were the tints as to make it difficult for the artist to reproduce them exactly. 



That these gorgeous Pansies are such great favourites is not to be wondered at, but 

 they are more particularly suited for the moist, cooler midland and northern districts. 

 The drier atmosphere of the south should be counteracted as far as possible by having 

 the bed in the shade, for a portion of the day at least, planting in a soil rich in 

 vegetable matter, keeping it cool and moist, and mulching with leaf soil and a little 

 manure during the summer. The race of Fancy Pansies have strong and vigorous con- 

 stitutions, and with careful treatment, can scarcely fail to succeed. 



