Plate 49. 
SILVER TRICOLOR PELARGONIUM— MRS. LAING. 
Although it is probable that the “ furore” for tricolor-leaved pelargoniums has reached 
its climax, and that we shall never again see such prices given for them as have been given 
during the past few years, yet are there sometimes novelties of such sterling character that 
they at once claim our attention and assert for themselves a prominent position. 'We have 
seen this season some golden tricolors, which are exceedingly brilliant and promising, and 
in the variety now figured in the silver tricolor class we have one far in advance of any of 
its predecessors. 
Mrs. Labiff is a free-growing compactly-habited plant of vigorous constitution and 
highly-coloured foliage ; the leaves are of fair average size and good substance, standing 
tlie sun well, round and flat, with a well-defined silver margin, a rich deep-green centre 
encircled with a well-defined zone of a fine dark colour, widely bordered with rich carmine, 
and is decidedly the highest coloured variety yet seen in this class. It obtained the first 
prize at the Birmingham Show of the Boyal Horticultural Society, as the best silver tricolor 
pelargonium, and the first prize in the same class at the Special Pelargonium Show of the 
Bo}'al Horticultural Society in August last, held at South Kensington, and has been awarded 
first-class certificates by the Iloyal Horticultural and Royal Botanic Societies. 
There is not much likelihood of such varieties as Mrs. Lainc/ being used for bedding 
purposes, but as a conservatory or greenhouse plant it will be very valuable. There is no 
doubt, that however well these plants stand exposure, yet they succeed vastly better where 
a moderate amount of heat can be given to them during the winter months. 
Plate 50. 
PICOTEES— AIRS. HORNBY AND EDITH DOAIBRAIN. 
Those who persistently deny that any improvement has taken place in the Picotee of 
late years, must have had their minds disabused in looking at the beautiful stands exhibited 
in the past season both at the Crystal Palace and South Kensington by our champion grower. 
Air. Charles Turner of Slough, and it may be adduced, as a proof of their excellence, that 
eight first-class certificates were awarded to them. These were all, with one exception, 
exhibited by Air. Turner, and raised by him or the Rev. C. Pellowes of Shottishani 
Rectory, Norfolk, to whom we are indebted for many very valuable flowers. 
Edith Domhrain (fig. 1) is a very distinct flower, the heavy pinkish-rose edging being 
quite unlike an}" other variety that we possess ; the colour does not break ofl’ into bars, but is 
entirely confined to the edge. Mrs. llornhi/ (fig. 2) is one of the light red-edged flowers, and 
although similar in colour to many which have preceded it, is very large and pure in colour. 
The other flowers which have received first-class certificates are : Ethel, Mrs. Allcrqft, 
Jahana, J. B. Bryant, Korfolh Beauty, "Princess of IVaJes, and ISIrs. TAttle, exhibited by 
Air. Hooper of Bath. 
The remarkable season that we have had has affected the growth of Picotees as well as 
other things ; it has been found very difficult to strike them, and one of our largest growers 
informs us, that he could not get his layers to strike, and has been obliged to put them 
under glass, so as to induce them to emit roots, the continual autumnal rains and the low 
temperature being very much against them. 
