360 
FLORICULTURE. 
grower of the Pelargoniums, that “ seasons, situations, and soils, exercise their influence, 
and produce different results, even when the course of treatment is precisely the same.” 
I admit this to be partially correct, but deem general directions not the less valuable, 
because practice and observation will soon correct any trifling error that may arise from a 
combination of such causes; serious defects are not to be supposed. The foregoing 
directions are certain to prevent such an occurrence, if carefully carried out. The following 
are a few of the best varieties in cultivation, both old and new. Drury’s Pearl, Lyne’s 
Forget-me-not, Foster’s Orion, Topping’s Brilliant, Beck’s Rosamond, Foster’s Ariel, 
Hoyle’s Sparkler, Cock’s Hector, Beck’s Gulielma, Centurion, Isabella, Cavalier, Marian, 
Arabella, Muster, Star, Refulgent, Delicatissima, Foster’s Constance, Gipsy, Bride, 
Paragon, Painted Lady, Minerva, Lamartine, Victory, Mina, Undine, Game’s Miss 
Halford, Salamander, Lyra, Meleager, Aspasia, Forth’s Negress, Hoyle’s Mount Etna, Story’s 
Mont Blanc, Hoyle’s Crusader, Belle of the Village. Fancy Pelargoniums are becoming 
every day greater favourites, and it cannot be disputed that they possess many claims to that 
distinction ; the diversified colours and profusion of bloom ensure them a welcome every- 
where ; and though I must confess that they are not all of the first order of fine forms, yet 
the improvement that has been made with this class in a comparatively short space of 
time warrants the belief that ultimate perfection is anything but impossible, or improbable ; 
consequently, it is only fair to give them their due share of encouragement, seeing they 
boast some desirable qualities wanting in those varieties usually denominated show- 
flowers. I have met with some of these fancy Pelargoniums that were extremely 
odoriferous, and, in addition to their extraordinary profuseness of bloom, of the most 
varied and brilliant qplour ; the foliage was luxuriant, and lengthened period of blooming 
extending far beyond the usual limits assigned to this class of flowers, the shape of 
some blooms I have noticed being very tolerable, though, as regards size, certainly inferior 
to the other kinds. What is wanting with them is increased consistency of the petals, 
greater rotundity of the bloom, and more variety. The last season has produced several 
very near approaches to this desideratum ; the next I am fully persuaded will be still 
richer in novelties of this description ; and speaking from what I positively know to be 
fact, there are two or three varieties to come out that will almost eclipse those at present in 
cultivation. The following are a few of the best, and such as cannot fail to give 
satisfaction to all admirers of this interesting class of flowers. I will endeavour to 
describe them, as all my readers may not be as well acquainted with the new flowers in this 
way as with more generally cultivated kinds. Game’s Gem : upper petals, rosy purple, 
margined with pearly white ; lower petals, same colour, blotched with rosy purple. Gaine’s 
Delight : upper petals, purplish crimson, margined with white ; lower petals, same colour, 
blotched with purple. Gaine’s Madame Malibran : a rosy lilac variety, edged with silvery 
white, and a spot of the same tint on the upper petals. Gaine’s Orestes : upper petals, 
brilliant light crimson, or high rose, with purplish spot ; lower petals, purplish crimson, 
with pretty white centre. Gaine’s Madame Alboni : upper petals, shaded crimson ; 16wer 
petals, rosy lilac. Gaine’s Porodii : upper petals, purplish crimson, edged with silvery 
white, blotched with lilac ; lower petals, white, blotched with rich purple. Gaine’s Lady 
Louisa Cornwallis : upper petals, rich puce, edged with rose ; lower petals, lilac, with 
purplish blotch, white centre. Gaine’s Elegans : upper petals, beautiful white, blotched 
with rose ; lower petals, white, with purplish spot. Gaine’s Nimrod : upper petals, purplish 
crimson, with distinct crimson spot ; lower petals, same colour, mixed with deep purplish 
rose. Gaine’s Priam : upper petals, pure white, with beautiful violet spot ; lower petals, per- 
fectly white. Gaine’s Queen Superb : upper petals, purplish lilac, edged with pearly white; 
lower petals, perfectly white. Gaine’s Nina : upper petals, lilac, with black spot, margined 
with rose ; lower petals, pearly white, blotched with rose. Gaine’s Signora Carolini ; 
upper petals, rich crimson, edged with beautiful lilac ; lower petals, white, blotched with 
rose. Odorata Variegata, a white flower, with oak-leaved foliage, and extremely fragrant ; 
so powerful, that a leaf or two will perfume a room sufficiently to prove agreeable. In 
addition to which, the remaining novelties will be found to have been successfully 
exhibited during the season at most of the metropolitan shows, — Anois, Bouquet Toutfait, 
