ON SCENTED PELARGONIUMS. 



501 



(2) P. carnosum (Kew) is Sweet's Otidia carnosa. A good dis- 

 tinct specimen of the Otidias. Sweet says of it, vol. i. p. 98, " This 

 plant, which is so very different from any we have yet published, is 

 proposed by Mr. Lindley to form a distinct genus, which we have 

 adopted; to it also belong P. dasycaule, P. ceratophyllum, P. alternans 

 (P. crithmi folium), and some others." Up till now I have acquired no 

 specimens of the Hoareas, Grevilleas, &c. 



(3) Oiconiums are, I think, undoubtedly the forbears of our modern 

 Zonals. Ciconium umhellatum is interesting as being a curious and, I 

 believe, early form, but I have no idea what the date of introduction is. 

 C. crenatum (1820 about) is a true Cape species, of which I possess 

 a small plant, but unluckily it has refused to flower in time for 

 to-day. 



(4) P. fulgidmn, which also refuses to flower when I want it to, is 

 parent of several of the showiest Scented Pelargoniums, and is a case 

 in point of what I was saying just now of the difficulty of drawing the 

 line between Scented and Unscented. ' Eollison's Unique,' * Ardens,' 

 and ' Scarlet Pet ' are all its progeny, crossed with some other 

 varieties. 



f (5) P. gihbosum, the P. glaucum of Kew, is another I include as 

 sweet-scented variety, for it is very fragrant, but at night only. It is 

 a true Cape species of an early date, 1712. 



(6) P. ' Godfrey's Pet.' This is the most interesting modern hybrid 

 I have ever come across, for after careful study I have come to the con- 

 clusion that Messrs. Godfeey, of Exmouth, have happened by chance 

 on an old cross. This variety resembles in every respect the P. obscu- 

 rum of Sweet, vol. i. p. 89. (Parentage unknown, raised from seed 

 by SirE. C. Hoare in 1821.) 



(7) P. ' Miss Dorrien Smith." This is interesting as one of the old 

 varieties of the " Unique Section. " It is the P. Breesianum of Sweet, 

 vol. i. p. 64, and a hybrid between P. angustifolium or quercifolium 

 and one of the round-leaved varieties unknown. 



4. Cultivation. — Cuttings. The best months to take cuttings are 

 February and August, and all the Gitriodorums strike easiest in 

 February. 



Soil. — As a broad general rule, sand, peat or leaf-mould, and turfy 

 loam are best. Sweet's proportions are equal parts of sand, peat, and 

 turfy loam. But we find one part of leaf -mould to three of turfy loam, 

 and one shovelful of silver sand to a barrow-load of this, a very useful 

 and successful mixture. For the real tuberous-rooted Gapes you want 

 more sand, and to pot them less firmly. 



Bottom heat is not necessary. We always strike ours in a cool 

 greenhouse. I forgot to say, under the head of cuttings, that there are 

 several of the Gape species which can only be propagated by tubers; 

 such are P. triste, P. pulverulentum, and P. ardens. 



Watering. — This requires great care. When in full growth water 

 may be given fairly freely, but as soon as the plants begin to rest, err 

 on the dry side; in iact, according to Sweet, the tuberous-rooted 



