106 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
A GAT CONSERVATOET IN SUMMER. 
BX EICHAED TOilLINSON. 
ITHOUT wishing to occupy space which, can, perhaps, 
be more ably hlled by the usual contributors to the 
Eloeal AVoeld, I should like, as an amateur, to give 
my experiences in the cultivation of the zonal pelar- 
gonium for the decoration of the conservatory. As an 
amateur, engaged in business, it is impracticable for me to devote 
as much time and attention to the cultivation of my plants as 
the professional gardener, and, consequently, I have to resort to 
the most rough and ready methods. In the early part of April last 
year, I resolved to grow a few zonal pelargoniums for the con- 
servatory, as some time previously one of your correspondents had 
highly recommended them for that purpose, and the result was so 
satisfactory that others of your amateur readers will do well to 
follow my example. Those who are able to spare the time, and 
have the necessary skill for the cultivation of huge specimens, will, 
perhaps, look down upon my humble endeavours ; but I would beg 
of them to understand that I do not for a moment presume to instruct 
them. 
Operations were commenced by selecting, early in April, three 
dozen strong plants that have been raised from cuttings struck the 
previous autumn, and were then in three-inch pots. Half of these 
were taken from my stock grown for bedding, and the others were 
purchased at a nursery where this class of pelargoniums are grown 
rather extensively. Being desirous of obtaining as great a variety 
of colour as possible, I purchased eighteen distinct varieties, and 
made the selection from a list published in the Floeal AVoeld, 
feeling assured that a better guide could not be had. The sorts 
purchased were : Richard Headly, Splendour, Sir John Moore, Jean 
Sisley, Charm, Coleshill, Madame Mezard, Charles Dickens, David 
Garrick, Miss Gladstone, Bride, Purity, Madame Jean Sisley, Acme, 
L’Aurore, Blue Bell, Master Christine, and Mrs. Sach. These well 
represent the various shades of colour, and the selection can be 
recommended, although, perhaps, a better one could be made by 
including a few of the novelties now being sold at a high price. As 
well-established plants were stipulated for, they averaged a shilling 
each. AVTien they came home, stout labels, with the names legibly 
written, were provided, and they were forthwith transferred to six- 
inch pots, or two sizes larger than those three inches in diameter. 
This, in my opinion, is better than shifting them first into five-inch 
pots, and from these into sizes advised above, for the extra repotting 
does the plants no good, and the time and labour required for the 
second shift are thus saved. The pots were clean, and a thin layer 
of small crocks placed in the bottom, and a layer of the roughest 
part of the loam placed over them. AVhen this was done the plants 
were turned out of the pots, the few crocks at the bottom of the 
ball removed, and also a little of the loose soil from the surface. 
