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THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
and from it I have selected the undermentioned as being decidedly 
the best : namely, Bhie King, light blue ; Brilliant, deep blue ; 
Mazarine Oem, bright blue ; and Speciosa (a fine stock from cuttings), 
of the type represented by the latter ; Alba coerulea, light blue ; 
White Pearl, white ; and Pumila grandiflora, blue, belonging to 
the Pumila section, and from those intermediate in growth between 
the two classes, 1 have selected the following : — Compacta alba, 
white ; Imperial, dark blue ; Omen, purplish lilac ; and Purple 
Prince, purple. All the above-mentioned may not be required in 
any one garden, but they are all good and can be selected according 
to the colour and character of the plant required. It is, however, 
preferable to grow several varieties, as it enhances the interest 
attached to the garden. 
The Violas do not continue in bloom throughout the season 
unless the situation and weather are especially favourable to their 
growth. They are, however, exceedingly good during the early part 
of the season, and when planted alternately with silvery variegated 
geraniums most charming effects are produced, and if the violas 
cease to bloom freely towards the end of the summer, it is of not 
much consequence. The best of the series is Cannell’s Qjueen Vic- 
toria, Perfection, Enchantress, Magnificent, and Lutea Major. These 
should be propagated now, and wintered in a cold frame. 
The best of the Heliotropiums for bedding still continue to be 
Mrs. Leicington, Miss Nightingale, and Jersey Beauty. 
The best of the leaf plants with silvery foliage are Centaureu 
ragusina, Cerastlum tomentosum, Echeveria secunda glauca, Veronica 
incana. The most useful of the golden-leaved plants are the Golden 
Chiclm'eed, Golden Feather, Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variega- 
ium, Ooprosma Baueriana variegata, and the Golden Thyme. 
The best dark-leaved bedders are Alternanthera magnfica. Coleus 
Verschaffelti, C. Verschaffdti splendens, Amaranthus melancholicus 
ruber ; and for large borders, Perilla nanldnensis. 
SPECIMEN PELARGONIUMS. 
Br CHARLES TTJENEE, 
Royal Nurseries, Slough. 
speaking of the cultivation of specimen pelargoniums 
of the show class, in which, as the majority of your 
readers are well aware, I have bee-n engaged for many 
years past, it will be well to make it understood that 
large specimens are not required for ordinary decorative 
purposes. There is, of course, no objection to the employment of 
large specimens in the embellishment of the conservatory, and, no 
doubt, many amateurs would find a considerable source of pleasure 
in their production, and in showing their friends the results of their 
skill in plant-growing. For exhibition purposes, specimen plants 
