HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 13 
THE PETUNIA. 
. I am not acquainted witli any flower more sportive than the Petunia. 
There is one variety particularly disposed to sport, and from it I have 
obtained frequently in one season six or more kinds, quite distinct in their 
markings. This sporting Petunia is a large, pale rose-colored flower, with 
a whitish centre. Every sporting branch taken off and rooted perpetuates 
its sported and sporting character. I have tried many of these for four 
years past, and find that there is very little tendency to reversion. There 
is, however, an objection to them. They are apt to be weak, and it appears 
that the sport is in reality a defect. It begins in the leaf, and is indicated 
by light colored spots, and a deepening of the green parts. Owing to some 
obstruction in the circulation, the chlorophyle is concentrated in certain 
parts and deficient in others. Sometimes it is merely deficient in spots, and 
not concentrated in other parts. As soon as the flower appears, the same 
peculiarity is observed in the distribution of the cyanine^ as in that of the 
coloring matter of the leaves. The pale crimson is deepened in hue, and a 
corresponding defect of color in patches and stripes give a truly variegated, 
and sometimes very beautiful flower. I have used these sports extensively 
in hybridizing, and have some variegated flowers from them which do not 
possess sporting qualities, and do not appear to be defective. 
Chas. G. Page, 
Washington, J). Q., December 2Sd, 1854. 
■^ The foreign correspondent of Silliman's Journal, for November, 1854, affirms that MM. 
Freny and Cloer have isolated the cyanic or blue coloring of flowers, and have given it the 
name of cyanine. The paper is one of much interest. C. G. P. 
UHif/Z^A^^. 
