Plate 281. 



BEGONIA ROYAL STANDARD. 



The tuberous-rooted Begonias are just now attracting a considerable amount of attention 

 on the part of horticulturists. Mr. "W. E. Gumbleton, Belgrove, Queenstown, Ireland, 

 who has paid great attention to the cultivation of these beautiful flowers in the open ground, 

 and to whom we were indebted for some valuable descriptive notes which appeared in our 

 issue for September — has justly remarked that the tuberous-rooted Begonias " are quite un- 

 equalled by any other plant whatever for affording an unbroken continuance of brilliant bloom 

 from the middle of June till the middle of September in the open ground, and for a further 

 month or six weeks after being lifted into pots for the greenhouse before they finally go to 

 rest for the winter, towards the middle of November." 



A great number of new varieties have been raised of late, both at home and abroad; and 

 the fine introduction, Royal Standard, now figured, is one of some splendid seedlings raised 

 by Messrs. J. Laing and Co., Stanstead Park Nurseries, Forest Hill, S.E. The large, bold, 

 stout and finely formed flowers are of a beautiful hue of crimson lake, most attractive in 

 point of colour. Its parentage is unknown, as Mr. Laing has not hitherto kept a record of 

 the varieties from which his seedlings are derived ; but he has used the finest forms in culti- 

 vation for seed purposes. These useful Begonias are likely to become as commonly grown as 

 the Zonal Pelargonium. 



Plate 282. 



NEW HYBRID CAPE PELARGONIUMS. 



In this plate our artist has introduced an example of Pelargonium echinatum (fig. 3) by 

 way of illustrating the improvement made in the form and colour of the flowers by means of 

 careful hybridization. Rosy Morn (fig. 1), and Rosy Gem (fig. 2), are hybrid varieties 

 raised and distributed by Mr. Thomas Sampson, formerly of the Preston Road Nurseries, Yeovil. 

 The plant which gave the seed from which these fine hybrid varieties were raised, had its 

 flowers fertilized with pollen from the nosegay section, and to this is attributed their distinct- 

 ness of character, variety of colour, and the much finer appearance and stouter build of the 

 flowers. Spotted Gem was recently awarded a First-Class Certificate of merit by the Floral 

 Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society when exhibited by Mr. H. Cannell. 



Being very free of bloom, these Hybrid Cape Pelargoniums prove of great value for 

 summer and winter decoration, and are most useful for cutting from, as they yield such a 

 continuous supply of flowers. There is a great deal of robustness of character about these 

 new hybrids, that they are of great value in the flower garden, and, when the shoots are 

 pegged down, makes a symmetrical and highly effective bed. The flowers being somewhat 

 fragrant, their value is materially enhanced in consequence. 



